https://ffoz.org/messiah/articles/how-the-us-betrayed-israel-at-the-un
Since the beginning of the war, demands for a ceasefire in Gaza have ricocheted from obscure city councils to the corridors of the world’s most influential nations. Last week, the now familiar refrain came from the symbolic epitome of global power: the U.N. Security Council.
The fifteen-member council broke into loud applause on March 25 after approving the resolution 14-0. The resolution demands an unconditional cessation of hostilities during the remainder of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and “the urgent need to expand the flow” of humanitarian aid into Gaza. It also appeals for the release of the hostages held by Hamas but does not make that a condition of the ceasefire. As expected, Israel dismissed the resolution as scandalous. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant rejected the ceasefire appeal, saying that Israel has “no moral right to stop the war in Gaza until we return all the hostages to their homes.”
Unlike previous U.N. condemnations of Israel, the passage of this resolution signifies an unprecedented international isolation of Israel from its strongest and longest-standing allies, especially the United States. However, the U.N. has condemned Israel before, more than any other nation, so why is this resolution different from all other resolutions?
The problem isn’t just the resolution itself but the fact that it was allowed to pass. This wasn’t the first attempt by the majority of the U.N. Security Council to insist on an unconditional ceasefire. In the last six months, the U.S. vetoed three previous attempts and said it would block any resolution calling for a ceasefire that didn’t include the release of the hostages, instead proposing resolutions that made a ceasefire conditional on their release. Russia and China blocked that attempt, and the Security Council was left at a geopolitical impasse—until March 25.
This time, instead of a veto, the U.S. abstained from the vote, effectively allowing it to pass. The U.S. position is a significant step back from previously unwavering support for Israel on the international stage. Israel took notice. Immediately after the vote, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a diplomatic trip to Washington by his top aides intended to settle differences between Israel and the U.S. regarding the impending offensive against Hamas in the Gaza city of Rafah. Israel’s next steps in the war against Hamas have become a sore point with the White House. Diplomatic negotiations with Hamas have failed repeatedly, and Israel wants to press on to eliminate Hamas and attempt to rescue hostages. However, the U.S. wants Israel to keep attempting negotiations while trying to mitigate the risk to civilians. Unable to brush off the U.S. as easily as it does the UN, Israel has held off its military advance for now, but Netanyahu has dug in his heels, and so has the White House.
The problem isn’t just the resolution itself but the fact that it was allowed to pass.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris recently warned Israel of “consequences” if the IDF advances into Rafah, and the passage of the U.N. Security Council resolution might be the first taste of what is to come. The U.S. currently gives billions of dollars’ worth of military aid to the IDF, sent two aircraft carrier groups to dissuade an attack from Hezbollah on Israel’s north, and until now, routinely stood up for Israel against an onslaught of U.N. political attacks on Israel. The implication of changing one of these policies is that others could follow. But why is the U.S. shifting policy now?
Aside from the dispute over Rafah, the U.S. is risking its own international isolation among the superpowers by continually sticking up for Israel in a dramatically anti-Israel world. Additionally, a quick look at U.S. domestic politics can tell you where U.S. policy is likely headed. From Democrat majority leader Chuck Schumer’s endorsement of the Biden Administration’s call for a two-state solution and call for Israeli elections to Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s urging for Israel to finish up its war, support for Israel has likely never been more unpopular across the political spectrum.
The U.S. has tried to downplay its U.N. abstention. Officials emphasize that it’s not a legally binding resolution (that depends on who you ask), that the U.S. abstained because there was no condemnation of Hamas included, and that they didn’t veto “because it does fairly reflect our view that a ceasefire and the release of hostages come together.”
From Israel’s point of view, the resolution’s passing has serious consequences. Not only does it sabotage hostage negotiations by showing international support for a ceasefire that is not dependent on hostage release, but it opens the door for other Israeli allies to start withdrawing support. Israel is no stranger to global isolation, and even with wavering support from the West, Netanyahu says, “If we have to, we will do it alone.”
From a Messianic Jewish perspective, the unfortunate reality of an Israel without allies is not unexpected. Though Israel has faced extinction several times in its short modern history, the U.S. has repeatedly come to its aid. Today’s cooling relationship between the two states marks a geopolitical turning point that could set the world on the path to the dire prophetic fulfillment of all nations against Israel:
On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples. All who lift it will surely hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth will gather against it. (Zechariah 12:3)
But do not despair; the redemption and Messiah are quick to follow.