Former National Security Advisor, John Bolton, criticized the US government for its decision to refrain from vetoing the UN resolution on a ceasefire in Gaza, describing it as a “mistake”. His comments come in the wake of growing tensions between the United States and Israel.
What happened: Friday, Bolton, who also served as ambassador to the United Nations in Donald Trump administration, took a Xpreviously Twitterand shared a clip from the “Morning Rush” segment, in which he spoke about the deterioration of relations between Washington and Jerusalem.
Along with the video, he reiterated his statements that the United States should veto the UN ceasefire resolution. He also accused the president Joe Biden of being too absorbed in domestic politics to formulate a comprehensive strategy for the Middle East.
“The United States should have vetoed the UN ceasefire resolution. Tension between Washington and Jerusalem must be addressed, but Biden is too busy navigating a domestic political minefield to craft a comprehensive Middle East strategy.”
See also: Trump calls for end to Israeli offensive in Gaza amid declining global support: ‘Finish your war’
In the video shared by Bolton, he can be heard saying: “I personally think it was a mistake not to veto that resolution, but the Israelis were right that it represented a change in US policy.”
Earlier this week, the United States refrained from vetoing a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, thus allowing the resolution to pass.
This led to the birth of the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancel plans for a delegation to visit Washington. However, it has since decided to send two senior officials to Washington DC for discussions next week.
John KirbyWhite House national security communications adviser, had previously denied any changes in US policy.
“It doesn’t represent a change in our policy at all. It’s very consistent with everything we said we wanted to accomplish here. And we have to decide what our policy will be. The Prime Minister’s office seems to indicate through public statements that somehow we have changed here. We haven’t done that and we need to decide what our policy is going to be,” Kirby said.
Because matter: The US abstention marked a significant shift in the UN Security Council’s position on the Gaza conflict. The resolution called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Gaza during Ramadan.
Earlier this week, the UN warned Israel that its actions in Gaza could potentially constitute a war crime, amid growing concerns about a “man-made famine” in the region.
On Friday, Israel said it would return to the negotiating table for ceasefire talks with Hamas, but the country continues to prepare for a potential ground incursion into the city near the Egyptian border, citing it as Hamas’ remaining bastion inside of Gaza. Strip.
Read next: UN court ordered Israel to increase aid flow to Gaza with additional border crossings
This content was partially produced with help from Benzinga Neuro and has been reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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