Repeated US Vetoes of UN Security Council Gaza Ceasefire Resolutions
The US was the sole dissenter blocking Gaza ceasefire resolutions supported by all other Security Council members, while famine and allegations of genocide continued in Gaza. The pattern of vetoes enabled continued military operations with devastating humanitarian consequences.
In 2025, the US vetoed at least two UN Security Council resolutions demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza — in June and September — bringing the total vetoes on Gaza ceasefires to six. Each time, the US was the sole dissenting vote among all 15 council members. The September veto occurred at the council's 10,000th meeting, where famine and possible genocide in Gaza were discussed.
Executive summary
What this record documents
- In June 2025, the US cast its sole veto against a resolution demanding 'an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza' — the resolution received 14 votes in favor from all other council members.
- In September 2025, the US vetoed another ceasefire resolution, the sixth such veto, being the only member to not support it. The vote took place at the council's 10,000th meeting, where famine and possible genocide were discussed.
- US Representative Dorothy Shea described the resolutions as 'unacceptable,' stating the US would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas or call for Hamas to disarm.
- Amnesty International called the sixth veto 'a greenlight for Israel's campaign of annihilation in Gaza.'
- The vetoes were cast while the International Court of Justice had an ongoing advisory opinion proceeding and the ICC had issued arrest warrants related to the conflict.
Timeline
Sequence of events
June 4, 2025
Fifth US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution
The US casts its sole veto against a draft resolution calling for 'an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza,' which received 14 votes in favor from all other Security Council members.
September 18, 2025
Sixth US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution
The US vetoes another Gaza ceasefire resolution at the Security Council's 10,000th meeting. Amnesty International calls it 'a greenlight for Israel's campaign of annihilation.'
Analysis
Reporting, legal context, and impact
What Happened
In 2025, the United States vetoed at least two UN Security Council resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, bringing the total US vetoes on Gaza ceasefires to six. In each case, the US was the sole dissenting vote — all other 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor.
June 2025 Veto
The draft resolution called for "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza." It received 14 votes in favor from all ten elected members and four of the five permanent members. The United States was the sole veto.
September 2025 Veto
The US vetoed another ceasefire resolution at the Security Council's historic 10,000th meeting, where famine and the possibility of genocide in Gaza were discussed. Amnesty International called the veto "a greenlight for Israel's campaign of annihilation in Gaza."
US Representative Dorothy Shea called the resolutions "unacceptable," stating the US would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza.
Legal Analysis
- Geneva Conventions Common Article 1: The US has an obligation to "ensure respect" for the conventions — blocking ceasefire resolutions while violations are documented is inconsistent with this obligation.
- Genocide Convention Article 1: The obligation to prevent genocide requires affirmative action; blocking ceasefire resolutions while genocide allegations are under investigation may constitute failure to prevent.
- UN Charter Article 24: Security Council members bear "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security" — serial vetoes blocking peace measures undermine this responsibility.
- ICJ proceedings: The vetoes occurred while the ICJ had ongoing proceedings related to the conflict, and while the ICC had issued arrest warrants.
Why This Is Classified Severe
- Sole dissenter: The US was the only country blocking consensus ceasefire demands.
- Enabling role: Each veto enabled continued military operations with documented civilian casualties.
- Genocide context: The September veto occurred during a meeting where genocide was being discussed.
- Pattern: Six total vetoes demonstrates a systematic policy of enabling, not an isolated decision.
Linked reporting
Reporting and secondary sources
- US vetoes Security Council resolution demanding permanent ceasefire in Gaza UN News
- US sixth veto is a greenlight for Israel's campaign of annihilation in Gaza Amnesty International
- Security Council Fails to Adopt Resolution on Gaza Ceasefire UN Security Council
- US vetoes UN Security Council resolution demanding Gaza ceasefire CNN
- US blocks UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza JURIST
- Veto of the United Nations Security Council Resolution on Gaza US State Department
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