Creation of United Nations was an excellent step in the history of mankind to ensure smaller states independence is protected from powerful states especially neighborly countries. But soon the UN became hostage to VETO power granted to 5 countries that include USA, UK, Russia, China and Great Britan. With VETO power resolutions passed by high majority of UN members can be turned down with just one stroke of hammer. For readers let us define the concept of VETO. It is the power or right vested in one branch of a government to cancel or postpone the decisions, enactments, etc., of another branch, especially the right of a president, governor, or other chief executive to reject bills passed by the legislature. According to data available Security Council Report Since Feb. 16, 1946, when the former Union of Soviet Social Republics (USSR) cast the first veto, it’s been used close to 300 times by members of the permanent five, most frequently by Russia (120 times) and the U.S. (82 times). It was agreed by the drafters that if any one of the five permanent members cast a negative vote in the 15-member Security Council, the resolution or decision would not be approved. All five permanent members have exercised the right of veto at one time or another suiting to their convenience at the cost of human lives. Issue of Kashmir and Palestine is result of VETO power, it has taken lives of millions of people of these countries who are fighting for untold miseries committed by India and Israel on the unarmed people of Kashmir and Palestinians. Since October 7, 2023 Israel is continuously pounding Gaza with bombs, rockets, missiles and have destroyed major infrastructure including most of the high rise buildings, schools, hospitals, water points, power houses, gas terminals , communication towers etc. So much so all routes are closed to stop supply of food water and medicines.
Undoubtedly Israel is disciple of US therefore Biden has no choice except to support bombing on Gaza hospital where more than 500 people of all ages died. Using veto on Gaza resolution is another example of exhibiting hatredtowards Palestinians who face frequent attacks from Israeli forces. What will be reaction of US if such attack is carried out in US hospital? US and its allies openly supporting terrorism acts from Israel forces only to hear condemnation by world leaders instead stopping genocide of Palestinians. It looks as if world is under undeclared third world war. Meanwhile, the world looks on as Israeli airstrikes is continuing and Gazans remain without water,food, and power. Germany is blamed for holocaust, over 6 million Jews were killed during world war II. How does Germany and other countries look at what Israel is doing to the Palestinian people? Is this not genocide being committed by the very people who think they were the victims of Hitler’s atrocity? How on earth UN with all the members can just sit and watch death and destruction of innocent Palestinians. Hamas attack on Israel was in retaliation to what they are doing since 1948 and that is continuing on daily basis without any fear. Israel does all these illegal acts due to outright favor of US. Joe Biden in his speech talks about killing of Israeli people but is silent on atrocities committed on Palestinians on daily basis.Surprisingly he says the hospital strike was from Hamas.This is not fair play and justice. People are common, children are common, old young are common there is no distinction between them they are equal as human beings then why this discrimination?
As said earlier the utility of UN is almost over due to VETO power enjoyed by 5 major countries. In the presence of VETO power, no justice can be administered to weak and smaller states. Look at the United Nations General Assembly resolutions. 1947: November 29: Resolution 181: Recommending partition of the Mandatory Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, and international status for the City of Jerusalem. Perhaps the best solution but never implemented.On 26 October, 2023 The United Nations General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza. It also demands “continuous, sufficient and unhindered” provision of lifesaving supplies and services for civilians trapped inside the enclave, as news reports suggest Israel has expanded ground operations and intensified its bombing campaign. It marks the first formal response of the United Nations to the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine since the Hamas terror attacks of 7 October, after the Security Council failed on four occasions to reach consensus on any action which saw the adoption of a non-binding Jordanian resolution on Friday afternoon in New York by a large majority of Member States, with 120 votes in favor, 14 against and 45 abstentions. However, it was heartening to see in a powerful speech rebutting Canada’s explanation, Pakistan’s ambassador Munir Akram said that if Canada was being fair in its amendment it would agree to name Israel as well as Hamas. Not naming either side was the best choice he said, as the Jordanian resolution does. “Israel needs to be named too, if you are to be fair and equitable and just”, he said. We all know who started this. It is 50 years of Israeli occupation and the killing of Palestinians with impunity, he said. Israel can’t face the truth or face justice. The Israeli occupation is the original sin, not what happened on 7 October.
UN must realize that it still has time to act as an international body to contain and prevent the Gaza Conflict from spreading and turning into another wide spread war. If that happens than like any war this war will also take a direction of its own and no one will be able to influence and control it.
