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Slovenia joined 13 members of the U.N. Security Council on Thursday in supporting a draft resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, but the measure was vetoed by the United States.
Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said on X that Ljubljana stood with the majority of council members in urging “a diplomacy of action to end the continuous and needless deaths of children, mothers and countless others.” She added that “durable peace is a must.”
The resolution, proposed by Denmark on behalf of the 10 elected members of the council, demanded an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire,” the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid, and a ban on demographic or territorial changes in Gaza. It also condemned the use of starvation as a method of warfare and called for the immediate release of all hostages.
Denmark’s U.N. envoy Christina Markus Lassen said before the vote that the measure was designed to “ease suffering and contribute to the end of this abhorrent war.” The text received 14 votes in favor, but Washington’s opposition blocked its adoption.
U.S. deputy special presidential envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus said the veto came as “no surprise,” arguing the resolution failed to acknowledge “a meaningful increase in the flow of humanitarian aid.” She also disputed U.N. reports of famine in Gaza while reiterating U.S. support for Israel.
Thursday’s vote marked the sixth U.S. veto of ceasefire-related resolutions on Gaza since Israel’s war against Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023. More than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to U.N. figures, with the enclave facing famine and widespread devastation. Israel is also defending itself against a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
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