Once again the US trotted out the usual arguments that the resolution was one-sided and did not make any mention of terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas to justify its position. However, the text of the resolution would have condemned "the most recent extra-judicial execution committed by Israel" and "all attacks against any civilians as well as acts of violence and destruction." True, Hamas was not mentioned by name, but we will leave it to the reader to determine whether the text was unacceptably unbalanced or not.

But the larger point is not the exact wording of the resolution. This more or less identical scene has been played out in the UN Security Council countless times over the years. The underlying issue here is the unwavering US support for the policies of Sharon government and how this support is an impediment to peace.

There are many factors complicating the ultimate achievement of peace in the Middle East, but the US blindness on the matter is not a help. The US is very quick to condemn any terrorist attack against Israel and to criticise and condemn the policies of the Palestinian leadership, but the US does not balance this out with condemnation when Israel takes steps which are immoral and which damage the peace process. Thus, the Israeli PM has been given a virtual free hand to continue building settlements in the occupied territories and to construct his security wall. And while the US pays lip service to condemning Israel's policies of targeted assassination, its actions at the UN signal clearly to Sharon that he can continue to act with impunity.

The Israeli government will interpret the US veto as a green light to continue its current policy of escalating hostilities and repression. The end result will only be more bloodshed and violence with the possibility of a peaceful settlement becoming ever more remote. If anyone believes that more bloodshed and violence are what is needed to resolve the Palestinian crisis -- they must be living in the fool's paradise.