Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled a visit to the White House by his top aides after the US failed to block UN calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Yesterday’s dramatic move came after the organisation’s Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and unconditional release of all hostages taken during taken during the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.
As one of the council’s five permanent members – along with the UK, France, China and Russia – the US could have vetoed the resolution, as it has done on three earlier occasions.
The US abstention prompted Mr Netanyahu to cancel this week’s delegation to Washington to discuss a planned Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are taking shelter.
Mr Netanyahu – known as Bibi in Israel – said that Washington’s failure to veto the resolution was a ‘clear retreat’ from its previous position, and would hurt war efforts against Hamas, as well as efforts to release over 130 hostages.
Mr Netanyahu – known as Bibi in Israel – said that Washington’s failure to veto the resolution was a ‘clear retreat’ from its previous position
The UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and unconditional release of all hostages taken during taken during the October 7 attacks
The Israeli prime minister said: ‘Regrettably, the United States did not veto the new resolution, which calls for a ceasefire that is not contingent on the release of hostages’.
He added: ‘This constitutes a clear departure from the consistent US position in the Security council since the beginning of the war’.
The White House denied that the abstention reflected a change in American policy.
Its national security spokesman John Kirby said it was ‘disappointing’ the Israeli delegates would not be coming ‘to allow us to have a fulsome conversation with them about viable alternatives to them going in on the ground in Rafah’.
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron was questioned over the UK’s decision to help pass the resolution by four Tory MPs in a 1922 committee meeting, according to The Telegraph.
The US abstention prompted Mr Netanyahu to cancel this week’s delegation to Washington to discuss a planned Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron was questioned over the UK’s decision to help pass the resolution by four Tory MPs in a 1922 committee meeting
Former Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said that she was ‘alarmed’ by the UK’s position as one of 14 members on the council to vote in favour of an immediate ceasefire.
In December last year, the UK abstained from voting on a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, while the US was the only nation to block it.
At the time, the Foreign Office insisted the UK supported Israel’s ‘inherent right’ to self-defence in line with the UN Charter.
Former Tory attorney general Sir Michael Ellis quizzed Lord Cameron over the UK’s stance on the conflict – pointing out The Guardian had praised the Foreign Secretary over his position.
Downing Street said the resolution sent a clear message that hostages held by Hamas should be released and aid be allowed in to Gaza.
Hamas welcomed yesterday’s resolution and said it would engage in talks on a prisoner exchange brokered by Qatar, after repeated delays in securing a deal.