US says UN Security Council resolution demanding Gaza cease-fire 'non-binding'

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Monday said the UN Security Council resolution which was adopted earlier in the day and demanded an immediate cease-fire in Gaza is "non-binding."

"It is a non-binding resolution," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.

"We didn't veto because we thought the language, as it relates to the cease-fire, and the release of hostages, was consistent with the long-standing United States position," he added.

Noting the ongoing negotiations in Doha, Qatar to reach a cease-fire in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, Miller said "I can't say that this resolution is going to have any impact on those negotiations."

"But those negotiations are ongoing. They've been ongoing over the weekend and they've made progress," he added.

According to the UN Charter, all Security Council resolutions are binding under international law.

Asked by Anadolu about several other countries arguing that the UN Security Council resolution is binding, Miller responded: "It is our interpretation of this resolution that it is non-binding."

When asked about the previous UN Security Council resolutions that Israel has rejected to comply with, Miller said that the US expects all of its partner nations to comply with international law.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Washington did not agree with the resolution because it ignored the US' request to add a condemnation of Hamas.

Although the US did not agree with “everything in the resolution,” she added, “we fully support some of the critical objectives in this non-binding resolution. And we believe it was important for the council to speak out and make clear that any cease-fire must come with the release of all hostages.”

The UN Security Council on Monday passed a resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which already began on March 11 and is set to end on April 9.

As many as 14 countries voted in favor of the resolution, presented by 10 elected members of the Council, while the US abstained from voting.

The resolution called for an "immediate cease-fire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable cease-fire."

It also demanded the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs."