Analysis: Who voted with Israel at the UN and why were most Pacific Island nations?

In a recent United Nations vote, the majority of the world’s nations sided with the Palestinians in their quest for membership, rights, and privileges. However, there were nine countries that voted against the Palestinians, including Israel, the United States, Hungary, Argentina, and the Czech Republic.

Israel’s stance against a Palestinian state is well-known, with the current government firmly opposed to the idea. The United States, despite supporting a two-state solution, believes that negotiations should come before any UN vote. Hungary’s alignment with Israel is driven by mutual interests and a shared disdain for liberal democratic values in Europe.

Argentina’s support for Israel is influenced by their new populist President’s admiration for Netanyahu and his plans to move the embassy to Jerusalem. The Czech Republic’s historical bond with the Zionist movement and shared values as young democracies have solidified their support for Israel.

Interestingly, the remaining countries that voted with Israel were all Pacific Island nations: Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, and Palau. Their support can be attributed to the generous aid they receive from Israel, both from the government and Israeli charities. In return, these nations consistently support Israel in international bodies.

Israel’s use of soft power diplomacy, including providing aid during natural disasters and leveraging their expertise in various fields, has helped them secure votes and abstentions from other nations. However, in this particular vote on Palestine, global opinion was overwhelmingly against Israel.

The dynamics of international relations and the motivations behind countries’ voting decisions at the UN highlight the complex interplay of politics, alliances, and interests on the global stage.