The regional deck has been reshuffled and is no longer in Israel’s favour, causing serious consternation in Tel Aviv. A country that was considered all-powerful a mere month ago now finds itself out in the cold for a variety of reasons at a time when it is governed by, arguably, the most intransigent and short-sighted prime minister in its history; a man who puts right-wing ideology before real politic. In the first place, Israel has lost the unconditional support of the international community – with the exception of the US. The world recently witnessed this when the Palestinian Authority presented a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council, reiterating that Jewish settlements on the West Bank and East Jerusalem were “illegal” and calling for such an expansionist activity to stop. Although the draft was in line with President Obama’s public statements on settlements and was sponsored by 130 UN member states, Washington unsuccessfully heaped pressure on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to withdraw it before wielding its veto.
The Obama White House was cornered into flouting the wishes of the other 14 member UN Security Council members – including its closest allies Britain, France and Germany – else face the wrath of the pro-Israel lobby and its Congressional sycophants. Senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath says the US decision proves “that Israel is isolated internationally and is only protected by the American veto.” Such unashamed hypocrisy on the part of the US combined with Ambassador Susan Rice’s mealy-mouthed excuses that the resolution would have harmed the peace process – as though one exists – has only served to increase anti-US and anti-Israeli sentiments throughout a region in the midst of unprecedented upheaval.