U.S. angers Israel on UN Gaza vote Abstention on Security Council demand for cease-fire spurs cancellation of high-level visit
UNITED NATIONS » The United Nations Security Council on Monday issued its first demand for a ceasefire in Gaza, with the U.S. angering Israel by abstaining from the vote. Israel responded by canceling a visit to Washington by a high-level delegation in the strongest public clash between the allies since the war began.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the U.S. of “retreating” from a “principled position” by allowing the vote to pass without conditioning the ceasefire on the release of hostages held by Hamas.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the administration was “kind of perplexed” by Netanyahu's decision. He said the Israelis were “choosing to create a perception of daylight here when they don't need to do that.”
Kirby and the American ambassador to the U.N. said the U.S. abstained because the resolution did not condemn Hamas. Israel, the U.S. and the European Union
Linda ThomasGreenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, speaks after abstaining as the United Nations Security Council passes a resolution demanding a cease-fire in Gaza at U.N. headquarters Monday.