A LOUD ABSTENTION

Israel's Netanyahu government can ill afford to ignore US message on Gaza ceasefire at UN vote

IT WAS AN abstention heard around the world — except, perhaps, where it matters most. On March 25, the US allowed the first UN Security Council Resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to be passed 14-0. Since Israel began its retaliation after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, the US has vetoed three resolutions demanding a humanitarian ceasefire. Monday's resolution demanded both a ceasefire, allowing aid to reach Palestinian civilians, as well as the release of all remaining hostages in Hamas custody. Unfortunately, so far, rather than heed the advice and signals from its closest ally and other friends of Israel, the Benjamin Netanyahu government is painting the abstention and even tacit criticism of the humanitarian excesses in Gaza as a betrayal of Israel.

Critics of the US stand on Israel point to two factors. First, that given that the resolution is non-binding and the US continues to supply weapons and aid to Israel, it is little more than a rap on the knuckles. Second, that the gesture is merely meant to mollify the significant number of Democrat voters opposed to Israel’s excesses in Gaza, ahead of the US presidential election. These criticisms, however, ignore the fact that Washington has been Israel's strongest supporter — and, in effect, a shield — in international fora and by far its staunchest ally. In addition, the UN vote has taken place in the broader context of increasing disagreements between US President Joe Biden and Netanyahu. Israel's PM has reacted sharply to the US vote and scrapped the visit to Washington of a senior Israeli delegation to discuss the proposed ground offensive in Rafah, which the US has opposed. Rafah has received over a million refugees from the rest of Gaza, and an attack here would be catastrophic for Palestinians, who are already in danger of suffering famine in addition to the other depredations of war — over 30,000 civilians have reportedly been killed, 13,000 of them children. Rather than respect Biden's stated “red line”, that Israel must not engage in a ground offensive, Netanyahu has doubled down on his rhetoric. In fact, he has denied even the principle of a two-state solution. Such maximalist positions — both in terms of the current conflict and the broader Israel-palestine issue — are untenable. They also harm Israel’s long-term interests.

Before October 7, Israel was in a reasonable position vis a vis its neighbourhood and the broader international community — especially after the Abraham Accords that sought to normalise relations between Tel Aviv and several Arab states. Now, increasingly isolated, Israel's government must listen to its friends and pause hostilities. Otherwise, it will only bolster the view that its prime minister is placing his political interests above the national interest.