On Monday, the United Nations Security Council made a historic call for a cease-fire in Gaza, marking a significant moment as the U.S. chose to abstain from the vote, sparking a notable rift with Israel. This decision led Israel to cancel a planned visit to Washington by a high-ranking delegation, showcasing the most public disagreement between the two allies since the onset of the conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized the U.S. for deviating from what he described as a “principled stance” by not insisting that the cease-fire be contingent on the release of hostages held by Hamas. In response, John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, expressed confusion over Netanyahu’s reaction, suggesting that Israel was unnecessarily highlighting differences between the two nations.
The abstention by the U.S. was attributed to the resolution’s failure to condemn Hamas, as stated by Kirby and the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. The resolution, which was overwhelmingly approved by the 15-member council with a 14-0 vote, demanded the release of all hostages captured during Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7 in southern Israel. The chamber erupted in applause following the vote.
The U.S. has previously vetoed Security Council resolutions calling for a cease-fire, citing reasons such as the absence of a direct link to the release of hostages, failure to condemn Hamas’ attacks, and the delicate nature of ongoing negotiations. While American officials have argued for a connection between the cease-fire and hostage releases, other council members, including Russia and China, have advocated for unconditional cease-fire calls.
The resolution passed on Monday calls for the release of hostages but does not condition the cease-fire on this demand for the duration of Ramadan, which concludes in April. Hamas welcomed the U.N.’s action but emphasized the need for a permanent cease-fire.
The U.S. abstention reflects growing tensions between President Joe Biden’s administration and Netanyahu’s government, fueled by disagreements over Israel’s war strategy, civilian casualties, and humanitarian aid access to Gaza. Additionally, longstanding friction between Netanyahu and Biden has been exacerbated by Biden’s critique of Israel’s approach to combating Hamas and Netanyahu’s rejection of a Palestinian state.
The resolution’s approval came after Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-sponsored resolution that sought an “immediate and sustained cease-fire” without explicitly linking it to hostage releases, leaving room for interpretation. The U.S. warned that the newly approved resolution might complicate efforts to end the hostilities, hinting at the possibility of an American veto. However, the cease-fire demand, limited to the two weeks of Ramadan, aims to pave the way for a “sustainable cease-fire.”
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield stated that the resolution supports ongoing diplomatic efforts, urging the council and U.N. members worldwide to demand that Hamas accept the proposed deal. She noted that the U.S. abstained due to the omission of requested amendments, including a condemnation of Hamas.
The resolution, supported by Russia, China, and the 22-nation Arab Group at the U.N., underscores the legally binding nature of Security Council resolutions on its 193 member nations. Algeria’s U.N. ambassador, representing the Arab council, expressed hope for Israeli compliance with the resolution to end the violence and alleviate Palestinian suffering.
As the international community continues to navigate the complexities of the conflict, the U.N. Security Council’s actions represent a critical step toward achieving peace and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.