The US abstention in the March 25 vote allowed the UN Security Council to adopt its latest resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The other 14 council members voted in favor.
The US abstention prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cancel a planned visit to the US by two of his top advisers, according to two Israeli officials.
Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour addresses the Security Council on the day of the vote on a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Photo: Reuters
Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Ron Dermer, two close advisers to Mr Netanyahu, had planned to visit Washington on the evening of March 25 (local time) to discuss attack options and US options, but the visit was canceled after the vote.
Responding to Prime Minister Netanyahu's decision to cancel his delegation to the US, US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said: "We are disappointed that they will not be coming to Washington, DC for an interesting conversation about viable alternatives to conducting a ground attack on Rafah."
The US had previously vetoed similar resolutions calling for a ceasefire. However, on March 22, the US position changed when the latest resolution called for a ceasefire linked to the release of hostages.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that although the latest resolution included amendments requested by the US, Washington could not vote for it. "The ceasefire could have happened months ago if Hamas had been willing to release the hostages," the ambassador said. "Any ceasefire must be accompanied by the release of all hostages."
The resolution, introduced by the 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council, demands an immediate ceasefire during Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and an expanded flow of urgently needed aid into Gaza.
"The Security Council has just adopted a long-awaited resolution on Gaza, demanding an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. This resolution must be implemented. Failure will be unforgivable," UN Secretary-General António Guterres wrote on social network X.
The UN vote on March 25 came as tensions rose over Israel's impending military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Ngoc Anh (according to CNN)
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