A UN resolution is a document passed by the General Assembly or Security Council that calls for specific changes to international law. Resolutions can be binding or non-binding, and they generally have a similar format. They contain a header, preambular and operative clauses. The operative clauses of a resolution are the most important part of the text, and they lay out how the body will address the issue at hand.
A veto is the power of a permanent member of the Security Council to block a vote that they oppose. The veto originated in the aftermath of World War II, when major Allied nations sought to ensure that they had a decisive role in maintaining international peace and security. Negotiations at the 1944 Dumbarton Oaks and 1945 Yalta conferences led to the adoption of the Security Council’s veto as a key feature of the UN Charter.
The most significant use of the veto in modern times has been against Israel. According to a 2002 study, Israel has ignored 91 Security Council resolutions, many of which relate to its occupation of Palestinian territory. In recent years, many emerging powers have advocated for reform of the Security Council to either increase its permanent membership or limit veto power.
A few of the most influential Resolutions include UNSC 242, which lays out the “land for peace” formula, and UNSC 2334, which explicitly states that Israel’s settlement building is illegal. In terms of binding force, a lot depends on the language used in a Resolution, however. Whether a resolution is considered binding or not, it often has an impact on the international community because of the high visibility of the UN.