WASHINGTON šC Days of intense negotiations enabled the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden to avoid casting a veto at the U.N. Security Council in defense of Israel¡¯s military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
But abstaining from a resolution designed to help more humanitarian aid reach Gaza only limited the damage to America¡¯s standing around the world as it becomes an increasingly lonely protector of Israel.
The outcome was a relief to U.S. officials loath to exercise America¡¯s veto power in defense of Israel for what would have been the third time since Hamas¡¯ Oct. 7 attacks. Abstaining from a 13-0 vote may look better than casting a veto ¡ª which Biden has said should be reserved for ¡°rare, extraordinary situations¡± ¡ª but it still may not help America¡¯s image abroad.
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