As the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly kicks off this week, the situation is quite stark for Washington. The global position of the United States is increasingly being employed to provide cover for a single foreign nation—Israel. For many years, the U.S. has wielded its veto power in the UN Security Council primarily for this purpose.
The Security Council consists of 15 member states. Of those, the Permanent Five—made up of the U.S., the U.K., France, China, and Russia—are the victors of World War II and hold veto power. The remaining ten spots are filled by rotating, non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly.
This veto power was originally intended to ensure global stability. However, the actions of Washington appear to have shifted the balance toward isolationism and a partial approach to enforcement. The U.S. has frequently utilized its veto power to block Security Council resolutions intended to address issues regarding Israel. Both the Biden and Trump administrations have come under fire for their repeated vetoes or opposition to resolutions related to ceasefires and humanitarian aid as the Gaza conflict has continued.
In effect, Washington has given Israel a sort of diplomatic blank check, allowing it to evade significant repercussions in the Security Council, even as its military actions draw widespread international criticism. This unconditional backing undermines the foundational principles of the “rules-based international order” that the UN was created to support.
The downside of globalism is now being felt domestically. This distortion of U.S. power raises a crucial question: If the political establishment in Washington—irrespective of party affiliation—is busy safeguarding another nation’s interests, who is looking out for American citizens and our allies?
Washington seems to be eroding its own remaining soft power in favor of Israel. The insistence from the establishment to elevate the military goals of a foreign nation over both global stability and domestic welfare contradicts the “America First” principle that was initially promoted by the MAGA movement. Global responsibility should not equate to serving as an invulnerable protector for an erratic ally; it ought to entail ensuring even-handed accountability while prioritizing peace and stability.
Last year, Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the UN prompted boos and jeers, along with a mass exodus from diplomats. A total of 77 countries either left the room or were absent. This imagery of empty seats during such an important forum only accentuated the increasing divide between the U.S.-Israel alliance and the rest of the globe.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is set to address global leaders at the High-Level General Debate later this month, and it’s likely that the international community will again call attention to what it sees as a double standard.
In recent years, Israel’s relationship with the United Nations has plummeted, with Israeli officials alleging antisemitism within UN bodies. Additionally, Israel has moved to limit or end cooperation with specific UN agencies, including UNRWA and human rights organizations. This growing conflict showcases the larger deterioration of relations between Israel and many parts of the international organization.
The primary responsibility of the White House should be toward the American people. Alliances should be sustained when they further shared interests, not when they demand that Washington compromise its credibility and diplomatic standing on the international stage.
If the “America First” ideology is to retain any significance, Washington must prioritize American interests and its own credibility.
