U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged on Sunday that Israel’s global standing has been severely damaged by the ongoing Gaza war, despite Washington’s continued diplomatic backing. Speaking on CBS News’ Face The Nation, Rubio said, “Whether you believe it was justified or not, you cannot ignore the impact this has had on Israel’s global standing.” His comments came in response to former President Donald Trump’s remarks that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had “gone too far” in Gaza, costing Israel significant international support.
Over the past two years, the United States has used its U.N. Security Council veto six times to block resolutions critical of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The most recent veto, cast last month, opposed a draft calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, leaving Washington isolated as the only dissenting vote among the 15-member council. While the U.S. did support a statement condemning recent airstrikes in Qatar’s capital, the document notably omitted Israel’s name.
At the U.N. General Assembly, the U.S. and Israel have faced overwhelming opposition. Multiple resolutions demanding a ceasefire and humanitarian access to Gaza have passed with large majorities, including one that received 158 votes in December 2024. Although non-binding, these resolutions reflect the growing global consensus against the war’s toll on civilians.
Rubio also noted that key allies—France, the U.K., Australia, and Canada—have recognized a Palestinian state, signaling a major diplomatic shift. Recent international summits have endorsed “timebound, irreversible steps” toward a two-state solution. Despite this, Israeli leadership remains firmly opposed to Palestinian statehood, while the U.S. insists it can only be achieved through direct negotiations.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people. Israel’s response has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the humanitarian devastation has eroded Israel’s moral and diplomatic standing worldwide.