The American veto is a sign of moral bankruptcy
Dr. Ashrawi: The American veto is a sign of moral bankruptcy
In response to questions regarding the recent UN Security Council vote, PLO Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi issued the following statement:
"We express our appreciation to the UN Security Council Members who respected their legal and moral obligations and voted in favor of the UNSC resolution which called for the protection of the Palestinian people and accountability for Israel's violations.
By postponing the vote and presenting their own ‘alternative’ resolution that is a total falsehood and a distortion of reality, the United States and its Ambassador Nikki Haley have once again demonstrated their blind loyalty to Israel and tried to absolve it of any wrongdoing despite its egregious violations, deliberate massacres and willful killings and war crimes. With its veto, the United States is once again attempting to justify the lawlessness and cruelty of Israel’s military occupation, while providing Israel with legal and political cover to pursue its assault on the Palestinian people and on international law and international humanitarian law. This, in fact, is a morally bankrupt policy and another blow to the credibility and integrity of the international community as represented by the UN.
It is regrettable that the UK, Poland, the Netherlands, and Ethiopia succumbed to American pressure and abstained on such a basic and justified resolution that lies at the heart of the mandate and responsibilities of the UN.
It is thus of particular
urgency that the international community act quickly to
prevent further violence against innocent civilians and end
the occupation that deliberately targets the Palestinians.
It is the responsibility of the world to provide protection
for the people of Palestine and not to find excuses for the
occupation and the aggressor; this is where the
international community is facing its real
test.”