Tipping Point Quick Hits (2.22.24)

Ceasefire veto, Ramadan in Israel and Russian nukes in space

U.S. Vetoes Ceasefire Resolution

The United States continues to stand with Israel…for now. However, America is now facing intense criticism from the rest of the world after vetoing a humanitarian ceasefire resolution in Gaza introduced to the United Nations by Algeria, and backed by 13 of the 15 members of the U.N. Security Council. In opposition, the U.S. claimed the current resolution would further jeopardize the existing talks to end the war and circulated an alternative draft resolution. The U.S. resolution would oppose any ground operation in Rafah—Israel has warned it will begin an full-scale assault there in March and actually bombed a mosque in Rafah this morning—and calls for a pause in fighting conditional on the release of all hostages.

Interestingly, the U.S. resolution actually includes the word “ceasefire,” though President Biden has spent the last few months using the word “pause” rather than calling directly for a ceasefire. That change in language may be significant.

Regardless, any resolution that is vetoed by one of the council’s five permanent members (for instance, the U.S.) is immediately abandoned, according to the U.N. rules. The U.S. has now vetoed three draft U.N. Security Council resolutions on the war.

A number of nations expressed disappointment at the U.S. veto, including France. Even China said the veto “sends the wrong message” and gave a “green light to the continued slaughter.” International aid organizations are also upset, including the World Food Program and UNICEF.