Netanyahu furious as US abstains from UN ceasefire vote | Wilnesh News

The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas after the United States abstained from the vote, prompting Israel to cancel a high-level delegation’s visit to Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned before the vote that the delegation’s visit would be canceled if Washington did not veto the motion. The U.S. abstention marks a growing rift between the White House and Israel’s current government. Israel’s current government, the most right-wing in its history, has been waging a war with Hamas in Gaza for nearly six months. Israel’s offensive on the Gaza enclave comes in response to the October 7 Hamas terror attack, which has killed tens of thousands of people.

“This is a clear departure from the United States’ consistent position on the Security Council since the beginning of the war,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, adding, “Such a withdrawal harms both the war effort and the release of abducted children.” The efforts of the author. ”

The United States denies that the abstention marks a shift in its policy. Some observers see it differently.

“This is a breakthrough. An abstention by the permanent members of the UN Security Council is a yes vote because it means they did not exercise their veto power and basically agreed with the text, even if they did not want to say so,” said Hussein Ibish. A senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington told CNBC.

“The U.S.’s refusal to protect Israel from a resolution it strongly opposes by not providing a veto is extraordinary.”

The resolution, the first of its kind since the war began, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas for two weeks, breaking a five-month stalemate during which the United States vetoed three U.N. A call for a cessation of hostilities during the fighting. The motion also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington’s reasons for not approving the measure included its failure to condemn Hamas terror attacks that killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took about 240 hostages.

But, Miller added, “The reason we didn’t veto it is because there are elements in the resolution that are also consistent with our long-term positions, most importantly that there should be a ceasefire and the hostages should be released, which is what we understand the Israeli government to be.” position. So it’s a little bit surprising and unfortunate that they’re obviously not going to be in those meetings.”

The move comes after many U.S. lawmakers condemned Netanyahu — most notably, Senate Majority Leader Schumer, The highest-ranking Jewish member of Congress, known for his years of staunch support for the Israeli government.

“Abstention in this case sends a very strong signal to Israel that the United States is losing patience,” Ibish said.

Canceled Israeli delegationof The purpose of the visit to Washington was to discuss Israel’s planned military action in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost corner, where more than a million displaced Palestinians are taking refuge and where Israel says most of Hamas’ remaining militants are also based.

The Biden administration has raised alarm over Operation Rafah, which has been frustrated by Israel’s blocking of aid deliveries to the besieged strip. Earlier this year, the United Nations warned that half a million Palestinians were facing famine.

For former Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Avi, the rift between the two long-time allies poses a serious threat to Israel’s security and the responsibility lies with Netanyahu.

When asked by CNBC’s Dan Murphy if the United States and Israel were now at a turning point in the war, Ben-Avi said:

“I think we certainly are. This is a crisis and Americans are sending a powerful message that they don’t agree with the way Israel is conducting the war and they think now is the time to turn to a political process.”

He added: “The whole attitude of antagonizing the Americans rather than serving their interests, which are essentially Israel’s interests, is damaging to the country’s security. Netanyahu’s war against Israel has been from day one. A threat to security. With him, domestic political considerations take precedence over catering to Israel’s strategic interests.”

“The United States is tired of this war, especially Netanyahu, who is not behaving like a loyal ally and shows little appreciation for the political and military help the United States has provided in this war,” the former minister said.

CNBC has contacted the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office for comment.