In a recent United Nations vote, the majority of nations sided with the Palestinians in their quest for membership, rights, and privileges. However, nine countries stood against this motion, including Israel, the United States, Hungary, Argentina, and the Czech Republic.
Israel’s firm stance against a Palestinian state, especially after recent Hamas attacks, solidified their position against the Palestinian quest at the UN. The United States, despite supporting a two-state solution, emphasized the need for direct negotiations between the parties rather than a UN vote.
Hungary’s alignment with Israel can be attributed to their mutual interests, despite Prime Minister Orban’s controversial views on Jewish-US billionaire George Soros. Argentina’s support for Israel stems from President Javier Milei’s unwavering backing of Netanyahu and plans to move the embassy to Jerusalem.
The Czech Republic’s historical bond with the Zionist movement and shared values with Israel influenced their decision to vote against the Palestinians. Interestingly, all Pacific Island nations, including Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, and Palau, also supported Israel in the vote.
These Pacific Island nations receive generous aid from Israel, leading to their support in international bodies. Israel’s strategic use of soft power diplomacy, including humanitarian aid and expertise in various fields, has helped secure votes in its favor. Despite this targeted approach, global opinion on the Palestinian issue remains largely against Israel.