demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, after the United States, which has repeatedly used its veto to shield its ally Israel, abstained from the vote.

WHY DID USA ABSTAIN?

Historically, there has been broad bipartisan support in the US for Israel. But the situation in Gaza has divided opinion — a significant section of Americans is now critical of both Israel’s action, and the full US backing for it.
  • This is important also in the context of the presidential election in November. For President Joe Biden, the Arab and Muslim vote, as well as the vote from the Democratic party’s left wing, will be crucial — and these voters have been critical of Israel.
  • Also, many Arab countries, some which are important partners to the US, are growing increasingly concerned at Israel’s actions.
DOES THIS MARK A SHIFT IN USA’s POLICY TOWARDS ISRAEL? It is definitely an important signal from the US, which has been supportive of the Israeli government in the UNSC since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. However, this is not the first time that the US has distanced itself from the Israel. In the final days of the Obama administration in 2016, the UNSC passed a resolution deeming Israel’s settlements in Palestine illegal and a violation of international law, after the US abstained. HOW MANY TIMES HAS USA SUPPORTED ISRAEL? According to an analysis by the think tank Chicago Council on Global Affairs, until December 18, 2023, the US had vetoed 45 resolutions critical of Israel. IS THE UNSC RESOLUTION BINDING? In general, UN General Assembly resolutions are in the nature of recommendations, which explicate the UN membership’s position on a certain matter. UNSC resolutions are normally seen as somewhat more prescriptive. However, there is a difference between UNSC votes under Chapter 6 and Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, with the latter considered as binding. In any case, options for enforcing a UNSC resolution are limited if the country in question refuses to accept it, as Israel has already done. If the UNSC wants to enforce its decision, it can decide to authorise travel bans, sanctions, or the sending of troops. So the vote is more of a political message, including in terms of the US administration’s current stance on the issue. WHAT WILL BE THE RESOLUTION’S IMPACT THEN? It is undoubtedly an important political message in the current context. But it is not going to end the conflict. The October 7 attacks, viewed as the largest single-day loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust, has left a deep impact on the Israeli psyche. From their perspective, their effort has been to restore deterrence, so something like that never happens again. To that end, they have set themselves certain fairly maximalist goals, such as eliminating Hamas in its entirety. But that can be difficult to achieve.