American Exceptionalism

US Ambassador to the UN John Bolton speaks after he vetoed a resolution before the UN Security Council condemning Israel for incursions in the Gaza Strip, at the United Nations in New York, July 13, 2006. (Chip East/Reuters)

John Bolton’s statement today on the “many” reasons why the United States rejected Qatar’s Middle East Resolution to have the UN “engaged” in the crisis:

It placed demands on one side in the Middle East conflict but not the other. . . .

Passage would also have undermined the credibility of the Security Council, which itself must be seen by both sides as an honest broker in the Middle East conflict. . . . 

The United States worked hard with other delegations to achieve a more balanced text, one which acknowledged that Israeli military actions were in direct response to repeated rocket attacks into Southern Israel from Gaza and the June 25 abduction of Israeli Defense Force Corporal Gilad Shalit by Hamas.  Regrettably, we were not able to reach consensus. . . .

[W]e remain steadfast in our conviction that the best way to resolve the immediate crisis is for Hamas to secure the safe and unconditional release of Corporal Shalit.

Establishing the foundations for a lasting peace, however, will require us to focus our attention not just on Hamas, but on the state sponsors of terror who back them — particularly Syria and Iran. 

Let us be clear that without the financial and material support of Damascus and Tehran, Hamas would be severely crippled in carrying out its terrorist operations.  We call upon Syria and Iran to end their role as state sponsors of terror and unequivocally condemn the actions of Hamas, including this kidnapping. 

We yet again call upon Syria to arrest the Hamas ringleader, Khaled Meshal, who currently resides in Damascus.  We stress again our condemnation of Syrian and Iranian support of Hizballah, which has claimed responsibility for the other kidnappings along the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon.

We further call on the Palestinian Authority government to stop all acts of violence and terror and comply with the principles enunciated by the Quartet:  renounce terror, recognize Israel, and accept previous obligations and agreements, including the Roadmap. . . .

[T]he issue for us is whether action by this Council makes such a solution more or less likely, not simply whether or not the Council seems to be "engaged".

Ten of the 15 Security Council nations voted in favor (including France), while Britain, Denmark, Peru and Slovakia abstained.  Only the United States voted against.

Thank God for American exceptionalism, and its representative at the UN.