US Amb. Greenfield to UNSC: Stop political games, pressure Hamas to accept deal

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

Only diplomacy can bring about a sustainable ceasefire and hostage release, Greenfield said, which the US is working around the clock to achieve

"We're getting closer to an immediate ceasefire with the release of all hostages, but we're not there yet. Now, let's be clear. A ceasefire could have come about months ago if Hamas had been willing to release hostages months ago," Greenfield said. "Instead, Hamas continues to stand in the way of peace to throw up roadblocks, cower in tunnels beneath Gaza cities and under civilian infrastructure, and hide among the civilian population."

Greenfield asked members of the Security Council and member states to speak out and demand that Hamas accept the deal on the table, but she didn't expect Russia and China to do so.

"Just last week, Russia and China vetoed a resolution that condemned this horrific attack, a resolution the vast majority of these councils support. They have shown time and time again that they are not interested in advancing achievable peace through diplomatic efforts, nor for all their rhetoric," Greenfield said.

She accused Russia and China of using the conflict as a political means to try and divide the Security Council.

"It is deeply, deeply cynical, and we should all see through that," Greenfield said.

Previous resolutions did not put enough blame or pressure...