Israel Rejects US-Backed UNSC Hostage-Ceasefire Resolution

Jun 7, 2024 6:55 am | News, Ticker, Virtual Jerusalem

Biden Administration Aims to Paint Israel into a Corner, removing US Veto Protection; Ben-Gvir and Smotrich Threaten to Leave Government if Netanyahu Wavers on Insisting that Hamas be Toppled.

Israel has firmly rejected a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution based looselt on its own hostage-ceasefire proposal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced considerable domestic and international pressures over the handling of negotiations with Hamas, particularly regarding the conditions for a potential ceasefire and hostage release. According to UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan, the wording of the resolution twists and waters down the Israeli language to appease the Hamas terror group.

The UNSC resolution, which called for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas, was seen by Israeli officials as undermining their security objectives. “This resolution fails to address the core issue of ensuring Israel’s long-term security,” Netanyahu has stated. “It does not guarantee that Hamas will be disarmed or that they will stop their terrorist activities. We cannot support a measure that compromises our national security” .

Netanyahu’s rejection of the UNSC resolution has drawn mixed reactions from the international community. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed disappointment over the decision. “We believe that the UNSC resolution provides a framework for de-escalating the situation and addressing humanitarian concerns,” Blinken said. “We urge all parties to consider the broader implications of continued conflict” .

More substantial pushback could still come from permanent Security Council members Russia and China, which have been known to veto US resolutions, including ones pertaining to the Israel-Hamas war.

Explaining Erdan’s opposition, an official in the Israeli mission pointed out that an updated version of the resolution refers to the hostage deal as one that will bring about a “ceasefire,” as opposed to the original draft that described the end goal as a “cessation of hostilities,” which Israel reads as less permanent in nature.

Israel also objects to the updated draft’s call for both sides to fully implement the latest hostage deal proposal. An earlier version only called on Hamas to accept the proposal. The updated draft does the same, noting that the hostage deal proposal is “acceptable to Israel.”

The Israeli mission also disputes the updated version’s inclusion of the three phases of the hostage deal — steps publicly laid out by US President Joe Biden last week.

Domestically, Netanyahu’s stance against the deal has received conditional support from key coalition partners, who insist on a more unyielding approach to topple Hamas, as per the government’s stated war aims. Bezalel Smotrich, leader of the Religious Zionist Party, stated, “We do not accept a ceasefire without ensuring that Hamas is disarmed and incapable of launching further attacks on Israel. Our stance is firm and clear” .

Itamar Ben-Gvir, another prominent coalition member on Netanyahu’s right flank, echoed this sentiment, adding, “We cannot compromise on Israel’s security. Any ceasefire agreement must include guarantees that Hamas will be dismantled. If these conditions are not met, we are prepared to leave the government” .

The controversy surrounding the UNSC resolution has added to the complexity of the ongoing negotiations. The Israeli government has emphasized the need for U.S. guarantees that they would be allowed to resume military operations if Hamas does not comply with the terms of any ceasefire agreement. “We need firm assurances that we can continue our operations if Hamas violates the ceasefire,” an Israeli official stated. “Without this, any agreement is worthless” .

Opposition leader Benny Gantz has criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the situation, calling for greater transparency and a more strategic approach. “Rejecting the UNSC resolution outright without offering a viable alternative is not a solution,” Gantz argued. “Israel needs to work with the international community to ensure our security and achieve a sustainable peace” . Gantz has said he will resign from the government in the coming week if his demands are not met. It’s unlikely that they will be.

1 Comment

  1. Pauline

    Hmmm, was anyone yelling at us to ceasefire in Japan, Germany or Afghanistan?

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