US shift in policy on Israel directed against Netanyahu

It is also aimed at boosting Biden's bid for re-election amid public opinion on Gaza war

- Bhagyashree Garekar

MORGANTOWN (West Virginia) – The dramatic shift in Washington’s stance on Israel is directed against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom the United States has come to view as an intractable ally.

The new Israel policy is equally aimed at boosting US President Joe Biden’s prospects in the Nov 5 presidential election. The massive and well-coordinated pro-Palestinian protests across the country, including in Washington, have demonstrated the power of liberals as well as Arab-American voters.

Rather than shield Israel with a veto, the US on March 25 abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza between Israeli troops and Hamas militants, without tying it to the release of hostages. 

The 15-member Security Council passed the resolution 14-0.

The US had vetoed past ceasefire resolutions because they were not directly tied to the release of hostages and had failed to condemn Hamas’ attacks. 

This time, the country is still alone in linking a ceasefire to the release of hostages. China, Russia and other council members favour unconditional calls for a ceasefire after Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which has killed over 32,000 Palestinians. It has also triggered a humanitarian crisis, leaving a third of Gaza’s population on the verge of starvation. 

The offensive was in retaliation for Hamas’ Oct 7 attack on southern Israel, which killed some 1,200 people. The militants also took around 250 hostages, and are still holding about 100 people captive.

Explaining the US decision, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the US chose to abstain from the vote because the proposal “does fairly reflect our view that a ceasefire and the release of hostages come together”.