The U.S. opted to abstain from the vote rather than veto the measure.
The United States abstained from voting on a United Nations Security Council resolution on Monday that called for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. The cease-fire, supported by China and Russia, is for the final two weeks of Ramadan and contained no condition on the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled his meeting with President Joe Biden after the passage of the cease-fire resolution, following through on his warning ahead of the vote that the Israeli delegation’s visit would be called off if the U.S. did not veto the measure.
The prime minister stated, “The United States has abandoned its policy in the UN today. Just a few days ago, it supported a Security Council resolution that linked a call for a ceasefire to the release of hostages.”
Referring to the “clear departure from the consistent US position in the Security Council since the beginning of the war,” Prime Minister Netanyahu continued that the resolution “gives Hamas hope that international pressure will force Israel to accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages, thus harming both the war effort and the effort to release the hostages.”
White House spokesman John Kirby said, “We’re very disappointed that they won’t be coming to Washington, D.C., to allow us to have a fulsome conversation with them about viable alternatives to them going in on the ground in Rafah.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For President Biden and U.S. foreign policy officials to receive God’s guidance regarding their positions on the Israel-Hamas war.
- For the peace of Jerusalem and wisdom for American and Israeli leaders as they engage in talks surrounding the conflict.
Sources: Reuters, Breitbart
