The Biden Administration's relationship with Israel continues getting rockier, as the United States calls for Israel to back off their attacks in Gaza.
The U.S. today abstained from a United Nations Security Council vote calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War. The resolution calls for a stop to the fighting through at the least the end of Ramadan on April 9th. National security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. did not back the resolution because Hamas was not condemned in it.
"This does not represent a shift in our policy...we have been clear and consistent in our support for a ceasefire, in exchange for a hostage deal," he said. We also did not vote for it because it did not condemn Hamas...and we believe Hamas should be condemned for what they have done."
After not vetoing the resolution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he has canceled his planned trip to Washington this week, due to the U.S. not vetoing the resolution.
Kirby called that move 'perplexing.' This also comes a week after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is Jewish himself, called Netanyahu an 'obstacle to peace' in the region, while calling for election of a new Israeli government.
Netanyahu said today as well they still plan to attack the city of Rafah in Gaza, as it is a major Hamas stronghold. The U.S., and other nations, have been vocally opposed to the invasion of Rafah.
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