On June 12, 2025, Ambassador Dorothy Shea, the Acting U.S. Representative, expressed her disapproval of a United Nations General Assembly resolution concerning the situation in the Middle East. During an Emergency Special Session, she criticized the UN's inability to condemn Hamas.
Ambassador Shea highlighted a recent incident where Hamas allegedly killed five Palestinian civilians who were working to distribute aid for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. She stated that the proposed resolution fails to address key issues such as freeing hostages or improving conditions for civilians in Gaza and criticized it as a "performative action" that undermines the UN's credibility.
"This draft resolution sends an unacceptable message to Hamas and other Iran-backed terrorist proxies," said Shea. She argued that it implies rewards for taking hostages and launching attacks from civilian areas.
Shea emphasized that blind support for Hamas by some UN members undermines diplomatic efforts to free hostages and strengthens Hamas's position against ceasefire proposals accepted by Israel. The United States, she reiterated, does not back one-sided measures that fail to denounce Hamas or recognize Israel's right to self-defense.
"It would be a better use of time for this body to support diplomatic efforts currently underway," Shea suggested, referring to negotiations aimed at freeing hostages held under poor conditions.
The ambassador criticized the resolution for failing to acknowledge Israel’s security needs and drawing false equivalences between Israel and Hamas. She noted that it demands an immediate ceasefire without addressing potential future threats from Hamas.
Shea also pointed out flaws in aid delivery methods that have allowed resources intended for Palestinian civilians to benefit Hamas instead. "We reiterate our call for the UN, NGOs, and partners to support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation," she urged.
Accusations within the resolution against Israel using starvation as warfare were dismissed by Shea as overlooking efforts by humanitarian groups trying to bypass Hamas control.
The ambassador concluded with a call for direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians as the only viable path toward peace and prosperity in the region. "We urge fellow members to call out Hamas," she stated, urging votes against what she described as a biased resolution.