Following up on an earlier report today in JURIST's Paper Chase, the United States late this afternoon vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that would have ordered Israel to immediately end military operations in Gaza and withdraw its forces from the area. Eleven member nations of the council voted in favor of the resolution, with Britain, Germany, and Romania abstaining after their attempts to include last-minute amendments failed.

The US exercised its veto power for the 80th time in 59 years, its 29th veto regarding the conflict between Israel and Palestine. US Ambassador John Danforth said the resolution was one-sided and without credibility. Reuters has more. See the UN press release. Read Ambassador Danforth's explanation of the US veto. The UN also has recorded video of the debate and vote, and recorded video of Aambassador Danforth's statements to the press afterwards, along with comments by the UN's Palestinian observer.