The complicit role of the United States in the ongoing Gaza conflict is now official, marked by its veto of a resolution in the UN Security Council. This audacious move has drawn widespread condemnation from humanitarian agencies and civil society groups, yet it has had little impact on the dire situation on the ground. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, invoking Article 99 of the UN Charter to override member states’ apathy, rightly stated, “The people of Gaza are looking into the abyss.” The repercussions of this scenario are significant, with the death toll surpassing 17,000 and rising, threatening to escalate into a global conflict as key players may no longer remain passive.
The two months of conflict and brutal Israeli bombardment have not only endangered peace but also highlighted the Israelization of the United Nations. The justification provided by Robert Wood, claiming the resolution was “divorced from reality” and would not have changed the situation on the ground, reflects appeasement toward the Zionist state for political reasons. The Biden administration’s alignment with Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government in Tel Aviv is a misguided choice that risks alienating allies in the Middle East and the Muslim world. This approach, based on a theory of unilateral existence, is a transient display of arrogance that is unlikely to endure.
Gaza has become a potential flashpoint, with the conflict posing a serious threat to stability in one of the world’s most volatile regions. The veto reinforces the notion of Israel’s influence within the United Nations. The Biden administration’s support for Israel disregards the mounting global revulsion evident in academia and on social media. This veto is not just a diplomatic move; it is a shame on the international stage.