Statement from the US after UN Security Council meeting: 'Our support for Israel is absolute'

White House National Security Communications Advisor Kirby evaluated the latest situation in Gaza and the Gaza vote at the UNSC during his daily press briefing.

Kirby stated that they did not veto the Gaza resolution because it addressed the demand for a ceasefire alongside the release of all hostages and referenced the ongoing hostage deal negotiations.

However, noting that they abstained from voting "yes" because the resolution text did not condemn Hamas, Kirby said, "The vote we cast does not represent a change in our policy."

"WE STAND BEHIND ISRAEL"

Noting that they have viewed the release of hostages as a core component of a ceasefire agreement from the beginning, Kirby commented, "We still stand behind Israel. We continue to provide the necessary tools and military capabilities for them to defend themselves against Hamas as of now. There is nothing that has changed with this non-binding resolution in terms of what Israel can or cannot do regarding its self-defense."

Kirby expressed that they were "perplexed" by the cancellation of the visit by the Israeli delegation, which was set to come to Washington for discussions on Rafah following the US abstention in the UNSC vote.

Noting that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is in Washington today and that all relevant issues, including Rafah, are being discussed, Kirby argued that the cancellation of the Israeli delegation's visit did not represent a "downgrade" in US-Israel relations or in the relationship between Biden and Netanyahu.

Kirby argued that the Gaza resolution adopted at the UNSC was "non-binding" but did not provide an explanation as to why the US holds this view.

Kirby stated, "First of all, this is a non-binding resolution, so it has no impact on Israel's ability to go after Hamas. Secondly, it does not reflect any change in our policy. There is an implication in the statement from the Prime Minister's office as if our policy has somehow changed, but our policy has not changed."

News Source: 12punto