The United States wields veto authority within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), granting it the capability to thwart any resolution it opposes. Historically, the US has frequently utilized this power, particularly concerning issues involving Israel. Reports from 2021 revealed that over the past five decades, the US had employed its veto privilege more than 50 times to block proposals targeting Israel. However, a shift has occurred, provoking ire from the Israeli government.
My training data includes information up to January 2022. As of my last update, Hamas was designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, Israel, and the European Union. On March 25, the United States refrained from casting a vote on UNSC resolution 2728, opting for non-participation in the matter. The resolution urged an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip for the duration of Ramadan, a sacred period for Muslims.
The resolution’s passing was a win for the countries requesting the ceasefire. The US has vetoed the legislation several times when they had previously offered it. Later that day, Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement in which he reiterated the United States’ stance that any length of truce must be accompanied by a deal to free captives in Gaza. He continued by saying that while the US does not agree with every wording in the resolution, overall it is in line with the stance of the Biden Administration. According to Blinken, the US would have voted in favor of the resolution, but it was a deal-breaker for them since it omitted words denouncing Hamas.
Following the US decision to abstain from the vote, Netanyahu called off a scheduled visit by an Israeli delegation to the United States. A week prior, Biden had personally invited the delegation to present alternative strategies to a potential incursion into Rafah.
White House spokesman John Kirby expressed to reporters the administration’s deep disappointment with Israel’s decision not to send a delegation. He clarified that US policy on the war in Gaza had not changed, though, and said that officials intended to continue raising concerns with Israel about its plans to eliminate Hamas. He also stated that US officials were still scheduled to meet with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is currently in Washington, DC.
