Today, the UN Security Council voted on a draft resolution on Gaza, demanding humanitarian access across the entire Strip, the release of all hostages and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The resolution presented by Slovenia, on behalf of the ten elected Council members, represents a response to the dire humanitarian situation on the ground and widespread malnutrition. Although obtaining 14 votes in favor, due to the US casting a veto, the resolution was not adopted.

The draft resolution, sponsored by the Council’s 10 elected members, had one single focus – a humanitarian one. “We, the elected members, hoped that the Council would unite around the urgent demand for the delivery of food to starving Gazans,” Ambassador Samuel Žbogar stressed after the vote. Starvation, the withholding of aid and endless displacements are inhumane, contrary to international law and cannot be justified by any war objective, he added.

Unfortunately, the US veto prevented the 15-member body from taking action. “Faced with a choice between abandoning the rules that have guided the international community for the past 80 years and a veto, we chose humanity,” underlined the Ambassador.

Most importantly, the draft resolution reflects a shared sense of responsibility – responsibility towards Gazans, Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners alike. “Enough of civilian suffering. Enough of food being used as a weapon. Enough is enough is enough,” concluded the Ambassador, reiterating that Slovenia has tried and will continue to try.

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