Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to cancel a delegation’s visit to the US has left the White House “perplexed.” This move came after the US declined to veto a UN Security Council resolution urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan.
White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby clarified during a press briefing that the UN resolution wouldn’t affect Israel and reiterated that US policy had no change.
“We’re somewhat puzzled by this. Firstly, it’s a nonbinding resolution, so it doesn’t affect Israel’s ability to combat Hamas. Secondly, it doesn’t signify any change in our policy,” Kirby stated. He emphasized that the US determines its policy independently and suggested that Netanyahu’s office was creating unnecessary discord by implying otherwise.
Israel criticized the US abstention from the UN resolution, claiming it deviated from the US’s consistent stance at the Security Council since the conflict’s outset. Netanyahu’s office described the US abstention as a significant departure from past positions.
“In light of this shift in the US stance, Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided to keep the delegation in Israel,” Netanyahu’s office read.
The cancellation of the delegation’s visit came amid Israel’s threats to enter the southern Gaza city of Rafah, home to over a million Palestinians seeking refuge from the conflict. An Israeli delegation was scheduled to visit the US to discuss the Gaza situation, while the US urged Israel to explore alternatives to a major ground operation in Rafah.
In conclusion, the cancellation of the Israeli delegation’s visit to the US following disagreement over a UN resolution underscores escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The White House’s assurance of unchanged policy reflects ongoing efforts to manage the situation, but it highlights the complexities of international relations in the context of the Gaza conflict.
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