Dec. 23—Countries that have committed great wrongs have had to undergo a process of redemption to regain their moral status in the community of nations. Germany following World War II and South Africa following apartheid come to mind. The United States, by standing essentially alone in the world in support of the barbaric destruction of Gaza by Israel, is consigning itself to an infamy that will outlast—by how long, we wonder—the United States’ profoundly necessary reconciliation.

Dec. 22—Only today did a resolution finally pass the United Nations Security Council, addressed to relieving the catastrophe in Gaza. The resolution does not call for a ceasefire, but only “to create conditions for sustainable cessation of hostilities”—wording pre-approved by the U.S. after days of haggling. Other measures in the 16 points of action address expediting humanitarian aid. The resolution passed 13 in favor, with two abstentions—the U.S. and Russia (for very different reasons).