Explaining the decision she made on Tuesday (Wednesday), the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said that proceeding with such a vote was “wishful and irresponsible” because it could jeopardize sensitive negotiations to release the hostages – a position she supports. Amnesty International. White House.
“I think most people around the world would like to see these hostages in their homes with their families, and if we just vote and approve this resolution, the chances of doing that will be greatly reduced,” UN spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
Palestinians flee after an Israeli raid on a residential building in Rafah on Monday.credit: AP
“So we're comfortable with the approach we're taking.”
But the issue has become increasingly difficult for President Joe Biden, who not only faces declining public support ahead of the November election because of his stance, but also now faces an open revolt from Democrats ahead of this month's Democratic primary race in Michigan — a crucial shift. A state with large numbers of Arab Americans.
This came to a head over the weekend, when Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American elected to the US Congress, called on people to effectively vote against Biden in the February 27 election.
“Right now, we feel completely neglected and invisible by our government,” Tlaib said in a social media video while standing outside an early voting center in the state.
Rashida Tlaib, a member of the Democratic Progressive Caucus, along with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressleycredit: AP
“If you want us to be louder, come here and vote without obligation.”
In the absence of a serious challenger, Biden is still expected to win the Michigan primary in a landslide, but Donald Trump's campaign has seized on these comments as evidence of the president's problems within his party and voters more broadly.
“It's all falling apart for Joe Biden,” Trump adviser Jason Miller said.
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But the White House insists it is doing what it can to pressure Israel to limit casualties as the war continues.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that forces would soon move to the city of Rafah on the Egyptian border, where more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people have taken refuge to escape fighting elsewhere.
Many Gazans in Rafah were previously displaced from the northern parts of Gaza and now face the possibility of being displaced again. Meanwhile, the United States is working with mediators Egypt and Qatar to try to broker another ceasefire and hostage release agreement.
Kirby said that while the United States supports Israel in pursuing Hamas, it does not appear to have a credible plan to limit civilian harm.
He added: “We do not support operations in Rafah under the current circumstances without a reliable plan to deal with the safety and security of the people there.”
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