US vetoes UN measure to protect Palestinians

The United States vetoed on Friday a Kuwait-drafted UN Security Council resolution that condemned Israel's use of force against Palestinian civilians, criticizing it as a "grossly one-sided" view that failed to blame Hamas for the recent violence.

"The terrorist group Hamas bears primary responsibility for the awful living conditions in Gaza," Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the United Nations, said ahead of the vote.

Out of the council's 15 members, 10 voted in favor, including France, and only the United States voted against. There were four abstentions including Britain.

Kuwait presented the draft two weeks ago, initially calling for an international protection mission for Palestinians, as Israeli forces killed dozens of peaceful protesters in Gaza.

The final version, however, urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report within 30 days of its adoption on "ways and means for ensuring the safety, protection and well-being of the Palestinian civilian population."

Haley had described the text as a "grossly one-sided approach that is morally bankrupt and would only serve to undermine ongoing efforts toward peace between the Israelis and Palestinians."

"This session was another missed opportunity for this council," French Ambassador Francois Delattre said, deploring an "increasingly deafening silence" from the United Nations on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.

Kuwait's Ambassador Mansour al-Otaibi said the US veto "will increase the sentiment of despair among the Palestinians."

Throughout the history of the 70-year-old conflict, Washington has regularly vetoed security council resolutions critical of Israel. The administration of President Donald Trump has been especially hawkish in its support for Israel, with Haley emerging as a leading force in defending Israel's policies against Palestinians.

In late March, Palestinians launched the Great March of Return protest campaign to demand the right of return for refugees displaced in 1948 from their towns and villages in what is now Israel.

At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire during the demonstrations. No israelis have been injured.

The United States circulated its own draft resolution blaming Hamas for the violence while mentioning Israel's right to defend itself. That draft also was brought to a vote on Friday, but only  the United States voted in favor of it while there were three negative votes and 10 abstentions.

An exchange of fire on Tuesday and into the early hours of Wednesday began with a barrage of rocket and mortars into Israel from Gaza, prompting Israel to respond with strikes on 65 sites in the Gaza Strip.

It was the worst flareup since the 2014 war in Gaza.

Diplomats said before the vote that the Palestinians may turn to the UN General Assembly to win support for the measure if the vote failed at the security council as expected.

A draft resolution requires nine votes to be adopted in the 15-member council and no veto from the five permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.