Edited by: TJVNews.com
Israeli government officials have expressed strong condemnation in response to Monday’s U.N. Security Council resolution, which demanded a two-week halt to the war in Gaza that was launched by the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists in early October. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu particularly criticized the decision of the United States to abstain from exercising its veto power in the Security Council.
The Jewish News Syndicate reported that in a statement released by his office, Netanyahu remarked, “The United States has abandoned its policy in the U.N. today.” He highlighted the recent support from Washington for a draft resolution that directly tied a call for a ceasefire to the release of hostages held by Hamas; contrasting it with the current resolution’s more ambiguous stance.
Netanyahu expressed dismay over the resolution, stating, “Resolution 2728 gives Hamas hope that international pressure will force Israel to accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages,” emphasizing the potential harm to both military operations and diplomatic efforts.
The U.N. resolution, aimed at halting the fighting until the end of Ramadan on April 9, garnered support from 14 nations, including veto holders China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France. Notably, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield abstained from the vote, effectively allowing the measure to pass.
The resolution, while calling for the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” has left room for interpretation regarding its connection to the ceasefire demand. This aspect of the resolution has drawn significant scrutiny from Israeli officials.
Likud Party lawmaker Danny Danon, who served as ambassador to the United Nations between 2015 and 2020, echoed Netanyahu’s sentiments. According to the JNS report on Monday, Danon likened the situation to the U.N. Security Council’s 2016 vote, during which the Obama administration chose to abstain instead of exercising its veto power. That resolution, known as UNSC resolution 2334, condemned Israeli construction beyond the 1967 lines.
Danon also cautioned against the implications of allowing the resolution to pass, stating, “One cannot ignore the fact that allowing this resolution to pass is a change in policy; our colleagues in Washington are aware of it. This isn’t only about the language, which is problematic. This is a slippery slope for more resolutions to pass.”
Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, weighed in on the resolution, emphasizing its shortcomings. The JNS report indicated that Goldberg pointed out that while the resolution demands both a ceasefire and the release of hostages, it fails to establish a direct link between the two. This observation underscores the concerns raised by Israeli officials regarding the resolution’s efficacy in addressing the ongoing conflict.
Goldberg further highlighted what he perceived as a significant policy shift on the part of the United States. He noted that the decision to abstain from the vote represented a departure from the administration’s previous stance, despite assertions from the White House to the contrary.
According to Goldberg, the recent proposal by the Americans for a draft resolution that explicitly tied the ceasefire to the release of hostages underscores the inconsistency in the U.S. approach. According to the information provided in the JNS report, he noted, “Just last Friday, the Americans proposed a draft that called for a ceasefire in connection with the release of hostages. Three days later, the standard is merely that you talk about a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the same general location [of the text], not that the two must go hand in hand.”
Furthermore, the Goldberg added, “The United States makes itself look weaker on the world stage by abstaining on the resolution backed by China and Russia…The more Washington projects distance from a close ally, the more America’s adversaries take note and get emboldened,” as was noted in the JNS report. This sentiment reflects concerns over the broader implications of the U.S. abstention in terms of global perceptions of American strength and resolve.
In response to the developments at the United Nations, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office took decisive action, canceling the departure of a high-level delegation scheduled to fly to Washington, the JNS report said. This decision reflects the seriousness with which Israeli officials regard the implications of the U.S. abstention for ongoing diplomatic relations.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who arrived in the U.S. capital on Monday, emphasized the moral imperative of continuing military efforts in Gaza as long as hostages remained in captivity. JNS reported that he also warned of the potential consequences of failing to achieve a decisive victory, cautioning that it could escalate tensions and lead to further conflict with Iranian proxies in Lebanon.
Minister-without-Portfolio and War Cabinet member Benny Gantz echoed Gallant’s sentiments, vowing to persist in military operations “until the hostages are returned and the terrorist threat is removed,” as was reported by JNS.
The leader of the National Unity Party in Israel dismissed the UNSC decision as “lacking operational significance” for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). While downplaying the resolution’s impact on military operations, he reiterated the determination to continue the fight against Hamas until all hostages are safely returned home.
Gantz urged Netanyahu to travel to the United States for direct dialogue with President Joe Biden and senior officials, the JNS report revealed. Emphasizing the importance of the special relationship between Israel and the United States, Gantz stressed the need for continued engagement, even in the face of challenges and disputes.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz took to Twitter to assert Israel’s stance, stating, “The State of Israel will not cease fire. We will destroy Hamas and will continue to fight until the return of all hostages to home.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed similar sentiments, pledging to continue fighting in Gaza until the Iranian-backed Hamas terror group is completely destroyed and all hostages are returned. As was pointed out in the JNS report, he too criticized the U.S. decision not to impose a veto in the Security Council, arguing that it plays into Hamas’s hands and undermines efforts to stabilize the region.
Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, expressed disdain for the UNSC’s decision, using the Hebrew expression “Um-Shmum” to convey his utter disgust for the bias against Israel, according to the JNS report. The term “Um-Shmum” was first coined by Israel’s very first prime minister, the late David Ben Gurion. His tweet reflects the frustration felt by many Israeli officials towards the patently unfair treatment of Israel by international bodies.
Amichai Chikli, Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Anti-Semitism, condemned the UNSC resolution, accusing the body of having lost its moral compass. He highlighted what he referred to as “Hamas rapists and child murderers,” underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need to address anti-Semitism at the international level.
In a poignant address, an unnamed official directed a rhetorical question at those in leadership positions, questioning their commitment to the victims and hostages of the conflict, as was noted in the JNS report. “You claimed to stand with the victims when their blood was flowing; you claimed to stand with the hostages when their cries still echoed; are you deserting them now?”
Meanwhile, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party directed his criticism primarily at Netanyahu, accusing him of fabricating unnecessary clashes with the Biden administration for political gain. JNS reported that Lapid described Netanyahu’s actions as “alarming irresponsibility,” suggesting that they risked damaging diplomatic relations without serving Israel’s interests. However, Lapid also noted that the recent Security Council decision held little practical importance for Israel, signaling a nuanced perspective on the broader implications of the resolution.
Despite political divisions, recent surveys suggest that even Israelis who do not support Netanyahu’s leadership continue to back some of his key war policies. This includes opposition to the two-state solution and a steadfast insistence on defeating Hamas battalions in Rafah, as was detailed in the JNS report.
In the diplomatic arena, Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant held separate meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington, D.C., to discuss Israel’s ongoing military operations against Hamas on Monday, the JNS report said. Gallant reiterated Israel’s commitment to continuing operations in Gaza until all hostages are returned, emphasizing the need for a decisive victory to bring an end to the conflict.
In response, the U.S. State Department reaffirmed its support for defeating Hamas, including in Rafah. However, there was opposition expressed to a major ground operation in the city, with Secretary Blinken advocating for alternatives that would ensure Israel’s security while minimizing harm to Palestinian civilians. Additionally, the JNS report indicated that discussions centered on the urgent need to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza to address their immediate needs amidst the ongoing conflict.
Gallant’s meeting with White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan delved into crucial topics, including securing the release of hostages held in Gaza and dismantling Hamas’s military infrastructure. JNS reported that the meeting, which lasted over an hour and was held in private, underscored the gravity of the situation and the importance of close coordination between the two allies.
“The outcomes of this war will shape the region for years to come,” remarked Gallant, highlighting the significance of the conflict not only for Israel but for the broader Middle East, according to the information in the JNS report. He emphasized that the resolution of the conflict would send a signal to common enemies shared by both Israel and the United States.
Sullivan echoed these sentiments, expressing satisfaction with the constructive nature of the discussion. He tweeted, “I was pleased to welcome Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to the White House today. We had a constructive discussion on how best to ensure Hamas’ lasting defeat in Gaza, JNS reported. Sullivan reaffirmed President Biden’s unwavering support for Israel’s security and defense against all threats, including Iran, while also acknowledging the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Gallant’s visit to Washington also included a scheduled meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, further highlighting the depth of engagement between Israeli and American defense officials. As was noted in the JNS report, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, outlined the expected focus of the conversation, stating, “Addressing the threat of Hamas, while also taking into account civilian safety,” as a key priority.
Meanwhile, Hamas reiterated its demands for a “permanent ceasefire,” despite earlier praise for the passing of a temporary ceasefire resolution by the U.N. Security Council. The terrorist group accused Netanyahu and his government of obstructing negotiation efforts and thwarting the possibility of reaching an agreement.
Despite the deadlock in negotiations, interlocutors from the United States, Egypt, Israel, and Qatar have been actively engaged in shuttle diplomacy, seeking to broker a ceasefire agreement that would see the release of remaining hostages held by the Hamas terrorists in Gaza, JNS reported. This comes in the wake of the October 7th massacre in the northwestern Negev, where 253 hostages were captured by Hamas and over 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, were brutally slaughtered by the Iranian-backed terror group,
Recent developments have seen Israeli delegations, led by Mossad chief David Barnea, engaging in talks in the Qatari capital. Reports suggest that Israel may have softened its stance on critical components of a potential deal, awaiting a response from Hamas’s leadership in Gaza, according to the information contained in the JNS report. While the main delegation returned to Israel over the weekend, a small group of Mossad officials remains in Doha for ongoing negotiations.
Responding to the resolution, Hamas expressed a willingness “to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides.” Additionally, the group articulated its hope for “a permanent ceasefire that leads to the withdrawal of all Zionist forces from the Gaza Strip and the return of the displaced [Palestinians] to the homes from which they left.”
Netanyahu on Monday canceled a high-level delegation’s planned visit to Washington after the Biden administration failed to veto the resolution.
Following Monday’s vote, Jerusalem announced that “in light of the change in the American position, Prime Minister Netanyahu decided that the delegation will not depart.”
Netanyahu said that the changed U.S. position “hurts the war effort and the effort to release the hostages” by giving the Hamas terrorist organization hope that international pressure will bring about a ceasefire without freeing the captives, the JNS report said.
The prime minister on Tuesday responded to the Hamas terrorists rejection of the latest proposal, saying that the terror group’s “position clearly proves that the terrorists are not interested in continuing negotiations for a deal, and is an unfortunate testimony to the damage of the Security Council’s decision,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Hamas once again rejected any American compromise proposal and repeated its extreme demands: an immediate end to the war, a complete withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip and remaining in power so that it could repeat the massacre of October 7 again and again, as it had promised to do,” the premier continued.
In news from the battlefield in Gaza, JNS reported on Sunday that Israeli forces arrested 480 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists as part of the battle at the Shifa Hospital compound in Gaza City that has gone on for almost a week, the Israel Defense Forces said.
In addition, troops located weapons and terrorist infrastructure in the medical facility.
Meanwhile, Hamas announced the death of Yagev Buchshtab, 34, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nirim on Oct. 7 along with his wife, the JNS report said. Rimon Kirsht Buchshtab, 36, was released on Nov. 28 as part of a deal brokered by Qatar and the United States.
The terrorist group said on its Telegram channel that he died “as a result of a lack of medicine and food.”
Meanwhile, the IDF on Sunday announced the death of Staff Sgt. Lior Raviv, 21, from Rishon Lezion, who was killed in action in the northern Gaza Strip. His death raises the total number of soldiers killed in action since the start of the Gaza ground invasion on Oct. 27 to 252, with 596 on all fronts since the start of the war on Oct. 7.
(Additional reporting by: Fern Sidman)