From the Liveblog of
Thursday, November 16, 2023
After vetoing resolution last month, US envoy pressed to explain abstention on similar draft
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
United States Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield is pressed to explain why the US allowed a Security Council resolution that called for humanitarian pauses in Gaza and a release of all hostages to pass yesterday after vetoing a resolution a month ago that made those same two demands.
“Over 7,000 Palestinians have died since Brazil put forward its resolution last month, does the United States regret not having abstained earlier?” Thomas-Greenfield is asked during a press stakeout at the UN.
“We made a decision on that resolution because that resolution did not provide for Israel’s rights of self-defense,” Thomas-Greenfield responds.
A reporter pushes back, noting that the latest resolution makes no mention of Israel’s right to self-defense either, yet the US still abstained and allowed it to pass yesterday.
“This was a resolution that specifically addressed the humanitarian needs. The other resolutions did not,” Thomas-Greenfield retorts.
Both yesterday’s and last month’s resolutions detailed the humanitarian needs in Gaza.
The Times of Israel Community.