DUBAI, FEBRUARY 21. /TASS/. The US is guilty of genocide in the Gaza Strip and is responsible for Israel’s continued crimes, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said, commenting on the US veto against the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave, prepared by the Middle East.
"Today, undoubtedly, the US is the heart of evil in the entire world and the main perpetrator of crimes and genocide in Gaza and it is responsible for the continuation of these crimes; the entire world must condemn these actions," Raisi said, according to his press office.
The draft resolution, presented by Algeria, includes a demand for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict area. In addition, it rejects the forced displacement of the Palestinian population and underscored adherence to the two-state resolution of the Palestinian issue.
On February 20, the 13 UN Security Council member states supported the resolution; the UK abstained, while the US vetoed the document.
Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya stated that vetoing the resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza means Washington is totally responsible for what happens to the enclave as a result. He noted that the "Algerian draft resolution could have overcome this situation and stopped the extermination of Palestinians in Gaza." Yet another US veto "obstructed this and doomed additional thousands of civilians to death," the Russian diplomat underscored.