On Monday’s broadcast of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” White House National Security and Public Affairs Advisor John Kirby said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plans to The White House said it did not understand why the Israeli delegation’s visit to the United States was canceled. This is because the resolution is “a non-binding resolution and does not in any way affect Israel’s ability to defend itself.” This is also consistent with US policy, which hopes for a ceasefire along with the release of the hostages.
Kirby said, [relevant remarks begin around 3:35] “We are perplexed by this decision, because, first of all, it is a non-binding resolution and has no impact whatsoever on Israel’s ability to defend itself. And, frankly, The Prime Minister’s Office said this was some kind of change in our policy, but it was quite the opposite.In fact, the wording of this resolution is consistent with what we have been saying, along with a ceasefire. It’s very consistent with wanting all the hostages to get out. The connection between the two is clear and that’s exactly what our situation is.”
He added, “[T]One of the reasons we abstained was that this resolution, unlike previous resolutions, was not written by us but by other countries, and it only called for an immediate ceasefire without regard to the release of the hostages. That was it. This includes that connection. ”
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