Netanyahu explains why he snubbed Washington — RT World News
The Israeli Prime Minister said that not sending a delegation to the United States was a “message to Hamas.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel had canceled a scheduled visit by a high-level delegation to the United States as a message to Hamas.
the contempt This came after Washington refused to use its veto power against the United Nations Security Council resolution Accuracy He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Monday. During his meeting in Jerusalem with US Senator Rick Scott, a Republican from Florida, Netanyahu explained his reasons.
He added: “I thought the American decision in the Security Council was a very bad move.” The Israeli Prime Minister said. “The worst thing about it…is that it encouraged Hamas to take a hardline stance and believe that international pressure would prevent Israel from freeing the hostages and destroying Hamas.”
He explained that the decision not to send the delegation to Washington was a message to the Palestinian movement.
It was a message primarily to Hamas: Do not bet on this pressure, it will not succeed. “I hope the message has been received.” Netanyahu said. His office also posted a video of his remarks on social media.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met today, in the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem, with US Senator Rick Scott, and thanked him for his visit to Jerusalem and his steadfast support for the State of Israel, especially at this time. pic.twitter.com/6fWOooHMjq
– Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 27, 2024
The delegation was supposed to discuss the planned Israeli military operation against the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The White House has publicly urged Israel not to attack, arguing that doing so would worsen the situation of displaced Palestinian civilians.
The US State Department called on Netanyahu's decision 'Sudden and unfortunate' While the White House described it as “disappointing.” It was the United States “puzzled” In contempt due to the Security Council's abstention from voting “It does not represent a shift in our policy.” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
Unnamed American officials Axios said That Netanyahu's actions were 'self-defeating' And that he should have called President Joe Biden instead.
Netanyahu was angry last week when Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, called for new elections in Israel and said… “far right” The Prime Minister was as much responsible for the current conflict as Hamas.
Israel declared war on the Palestinian movement in Gaza after October 7, when a series of raids by Hamas killed an estimated 1,200 Israelis, while 240 others were captured. Since then, more than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military operation, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Francesca Albanese, accused Israel of this “Genocide” In the pocket.
You can share this story on social media:
