Fourth US veto

US vetoed Gaza ceasefire resolution, deepening isolation while war crimes continue under Biden and Trump.

The US veto of a fourth UNSC resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza was followed by one of the greatest attempts at political gaslighting in recent times. The US blocked the resolution because it could "not support an unconditional ceasefire that failed to release the hostages". But that is literally what the resolution demanded - an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire to be respected by all parties; and further reiterates its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages." The fact that the vote was 14-1 is a reflection of how isolated the US is on this issue. What can we call a country that is opposed to the rest of the world, other than a 'rogue state'.

President Joe Biden's single term included several achievements, but his legacy will be all of two words - war criminal. Biden could end the genocide with one phone call. Instead, he has allowed Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his genocidal regime to commit war crime upon war crime without even a hint of disapproval. Thousands of children in Gaza have been murdered with American-made guns and bombs. But anyone expecting things to turn a corner in January - when Donald Trump returns to the White House - is in for a rude awakening. Trump, an even bigger Netanyahu supporter, has given the Israeli PM permission to do "whatever it takes" to defeat Hamas. Trump's pick for ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, has said "there is really no such thing as a Palestinian." He also believes the entire West Bank is part of Israel. While Biden refuses to penalise Israel for crimes against humanity, Trump actively approves of them.

The only likely path to peace is now Netanyahu's notorious corruption catching up with him - he is credibly accused of using war to delay his trial and has been urging far-right allies to help him further delay a court appearance in December. Unfortunately, Netanyahu's machinations over the past decade have marginalised politicians who honestly believe in a two-state solution, meaning his eventual successor may well have even more hardline views.