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.
Record summary
Grade
Grade 3 of 5: Serious Rights Violation
Documented violations of internationally recognized human rights that cause substantial, measurable harm to identifiable populations. Scale and definitions
- Status
- Ongoing
- Incident date
- Record updated
- Location
- New York, NY (United Nations)
- Category
- Foreign Policy & War
- Legal posture
- Executive action
- War-crime classification
- Enabling conduct
- ICC relevance
- Yes
- Sources
- 6 cited
- Stable ID
gaza-ceasefire-vetoes- Legal basis
- Geneva Conventions Common Article 1, Genocide Convention Article 1, Rome Statute Article 8, ICCPR Article 6, UN Charter Article 24
- Posture note
- The pattern of vetoes continued from the Biden administration into Trump's term. Each veto was cast against the unanimous or near-unanimous will of the rest of the Security Council. The vetoes have been described as enabling continued military operations in Gaza.
- Victims
- Civilians in Gaza, including children, women, and medical workers. As of September 2025, tens of thousands had been killed and millions displaced.
- Alleged responsible parties
- US delegation to the United Nations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump administration
Key points
- 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.
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.
International law engaged
| Instrument | Provision | What it protects or prohibits |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva Conventions | Common Article 1 | High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances |
| Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide | Article 1 | The Contracting Parties confirm that genocide is a crime under international law which they undertake to prevent and to punish |
| Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | Article 8 | War crimes — intentionally directing attacks against the civilian population |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights | Article 6 | Right to life — obligation to protect |
| UN Charter | Article 24 | Security Council members have primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security |
Sequence of events
-
First US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution
The US vetoes a Brazil-drafted Security Council resolution calling for humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Gaza conflict to allow aid delivery. The resolution received support from 12 council members, with the UK and Russia abstaining.
-
Second US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution
The US vetoes a UAE-drafted resolution backed by over 90 member states calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution received 13 votes in favor with the UK abstaining; the US was the sole veto.
-
Third US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution
The US vetoes an Algeria-drafted resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. Thirteen council members voted in favor and one abstained; the US was again the sole veto.
-
Fourth US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution
US Ambassador Robert Wood vetoes a resolution demanding an unconditional ceasefire, stating the US could not support any ceasefire not tied to the release of hostages held by Hamas. All other 14 council members voted in favor.
-
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.
-
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.'
Sources
- US vetoes Security Council resolution demanding permanent ceasefire in Gaza — UN News archived ✓
- US sixth veto is a greenlight for Israel's campaign of annihilation in Gaza — Amnesty International archived ✓
- Security Council Fails to Adopt Resolution on Gaza Ceasefire — UN Security Council archived ✓
- US vetoes UN Security Council resolution demanding Gaza ceasefire — CNN archived ✓
- US blocks UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza — JURIST archived ✓
- Veto of the United Nations Security Council Resolution on Gaza — US State Department archived ✓