The Veto Paradox: US Hegemony and the Paralysis of Global Solidarity for Palestine
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This study examines the Veto Paradox, arguing that the structural paralysis of the UN Security Council (UNSC) due to the United States' hegemonic veto is the primary obstacle to global solidarity for Palestine. The veto, frequently used to shield Israel from criticism and sanctions, has prevented any binding enforcement action, particularly demands for a ceasefire during the 2023-2025 Gaza crisis. Analyzed through the lens of Critical Geopolitics and Critical Institutionalism, the veto functions as a "Hegemonic Shield" that maintains the status quo. The core finding is the cascading impact of this paralysis: the political efficacy of global solidarity has been forced to shift from the binding realm of the UNSC (Chapter VII) to non-binding arenas. Although this shift successfully established the highest legal and normative consensus through the ICJ's Advisory Opinion (declaring the occupation unlawful) and the BDS movement, the US veto ensures this legal recognition is rendered politically impotent. This creates a paradox of recognition without enforcement, highlighting the fundamental need for structural UN reform.
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