A UN resolution is a formal expression of the opinion or will of a UN organ. Resolutions may be either substantive or procedural and are usually numbered, with the year and session in which they are adopted identifying them. Resolutions of principal organs such as the Security Council, General Assembly and Economic and Social Council are published individually, while resolutions of subsidiary bodies appear in compilations of their decisions grouped by the parent body.
Substantive resolutions require the affirmative votes of nine of the fifteen members of the Security Council, including the five permanent members (the P5). Any of the permanent members can block a resolution by using their veto power. Critics argue that the veto undermines the UN’s effectiveness by fueling deadlock and protecting the geopolitical interests of the P5 at the expense of peace and global security.
The United States strongly opposes this resolution, which fails to call on Hamas to stop the violence and disarm, and calls for a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan, which is not guaranteed to be sustained. The United States has been clear since the conflict began that it will not support any measure that does not condemn the cowardly acts of Hamas and call for it to be held accountable, especially by naming it as a terrorist organization.
The United States strongly supports the work of the UN and humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza, and has urged the Palestinian Authority to allow them to do so without undue interference or delay. However, we cannot support any measure that undermines our close ally Israel’s ability to defend its citizens from Hamas rocket fire.