United Nations, December 10 (RHC)-- At the United Nations, analysts say that Friday’s vote at the UN Security Council brings the number of times that the U.S. has used its veto power in support of Israel to at least 40.  It also was the second U.S. veto since the Israeli war of aggression on Gaza began, after the country blocked an October 18th resolution that would have condemned Hamas’s attack on Israel while calling for a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave.

Political observers summarized some of the main UN resolutions that were blocked by Washington over the years:

After the Great March of Return in 2018, the UNSC drafted a resolution condemning “the use of any excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate force by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians” and calling for “lasting, comprehensive peace” with “two democratic states, Israel and Palestine”.  The U.S. vetoed the resolution.

After Washington recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017, a draft resolution said “actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void”.  It demanded the status of Jerusalem to be determined in line with UN regulations.  All of the 15 UNSC members voted in favor except the United States, which vetoed it and effectively blocked the resolution.

Following the second Intifada or uprising that started in 2000, a UNSC resolution expressed “grave concern at the continuation of the tragic and violent events that have taken place since September 2000”, condemned attacks against civilians and called for Israel “to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations and responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva Convention”.  Twelve countries voted in favour, but the U.S. vetoed.

Observers note that independent of whether or not the UN approves a resolution condemning Israeli crimes or requesting action by Tel Aviv, Israel ignores the decision and has total immunity, protected by its benefactor -- the empire of the United States.