PM nixes DC delegation after US fails to veto UNSC resolution calling for immediate ceasefire

• Published date: 25 March 2024
• Author: EVE YOUNG
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi were set to visit the US along with a representative of COGAT to promote the war effort, the Prime Minister's Office said last week. According to Israeli media, the Biden administration was expected to present to the Israeli delegation several alternative options for an operation in Rafah

The PMO said in response to the vote, "The US has backed down from its consistent stance in the Security Council since the beginning of the war."

The US did not veto a version of the resolution that calls for a ceasefire that is not dependent on the release of hostages, which is a clear backing down from its stance, according to the PMO.

"This backing down hurts the war effort and the effort to release the hostages because it gives Hamas hope that international pressure will allow them to get a ceasefire without releasing our hostages," added the PMO.

The UN Security Council approved a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after the US decided to abstain from the vote and did not veto the resolution as it had with three earlier draft council resolutions on the war in Gaza.

The resolution demanded an immediate ceasefire for Ramadan that will lead to a "lasting sustainable" ceasefire. The resolution also demands the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages and emphasizes that humanitarian access must be allowed to hostages to meet their medical and other needs.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby addressed reporters moments after the UNSC vote on Monday morning, saying the US's abstention of the vote does not represent a shift in US policy.

"We have been clear, and we've been consistent in our support for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal," Kirby said. "That's how the hostage deal is structured. We wanted to get to a place where we could support that resolution, but because the final text does not have key language that we think is essential like a condemnation of Hamas, we could not support it."

White House uninformed of Israel's changing plans

Kirby said senior US officials would still meet for separate talks with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on hostages, humanitarian aid, and protecting civilians in Rafah. He stressed that US policy had not changed, despite the decision to abstain from the UN vote.

"We were looking forward to having a discussion [about] alternatives and options to a major ground offensive because we don't...