The United States has used its veto power to block United Nations Security Council resolutions aimed at ceasefire in Gaza on three separate occasions. This streak was broken when the administration of President Joe Biden opted not to veto the latest ceasefire resolution, allowing it to pass by abstaining from the vote instead. The move was seen as a sign of growing frustration with Israeli leadership’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Palestinian rights advocates, however, argue that more concrete actions are needed beyond symbolic gestures.
While Washington downplayed the resolution as “non-binding”, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the US for not vetoing the motion. The true test now lies in whether the Biden administration will use its leverage to pressure Israel to end its abuses against Palestinians in Gaza. Advocates question whether the US will fulfill Israel’s request for more arms amid the ongoing conflict.
The Biden administration’s decision to abstain from the vote drew a sharp response from Netanyahu, who cancelled an Israeli delegation’s visit to Washington, DC. Despite warnings against launching a full-scale offensive in Gaza, Israel’s actions have raised concerns about potential civilian harm and global isolation.
The vote on the ceasefire resolution is seen as significant in bringing US policy closer to its stated goals of ending the conflict in Gaza. Calls are growing for Biden to take concrete steps to pressure Netanyahu and reconsider arms transfers to Israel. While the administration is working on a broader solution to the conflict, Netanyahu’s rejection of a two-state solution complicates the path to peace.
The Biden administration now faces the challenge of balancing support for Israel’s security with the need to address human rights abuses in Gaza. Options such as halting aid and weapons to Israel are being considered, with potential support from the American public, especially within the Democratic base.