The White House called President Mike Johnson (R-La.) unserious about supporting U.S. allies after the president issued a statement saying President Biden had called for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Johnson’s statement on Tuesday read “Biden’s call for ceasefire is shameful” and noted that the Biden administration had called for a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and had opposed to Israeli movements in Rafah.
Johnson said Biden is “responding to political pressure from Israel’s opponents” ahead of the November election and reduced his support for Israel by taking a “shocking step” to support a temporary ceasefire.
“It is unfortunate that President Johnson is attacking these efforts and continuing to play politics with Israel while blocking aid requested by President Biden to help Israel defend itself against Hamas and Iranian-backed militias, all by obstructing other crucial priorities like protecting Ukraine, Putting and Tehran,” said White House spokesman Andrew Bates.
The United States on Tuesday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution proposed by Algeria. who called Israel to implement a ceasefire against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, arguing that the vote was “wishful thinking” and “irresponsible” because it would jeopardize negotiations for the release of the hostages.
Bates said the resolution the Biden administration then presented to the United Nations Security Council was alternative text calling for a temporary ceasefire and the release of more than 100 Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
“If President Johnson was serious about supporting our allies, he would cancel his two-week vacation and call for a vote on urgent national security legislation that has already passed the Senate with bipartisan support,” he said. Bates said.
The United States was the only permanent member of the Security Council to use its veto power to defeat the resolution proposed by Algeria. The United Kingdom, another permanent member, abstained in the vote.
The Biden administration participated in months of negotiations for a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to free hostages taken during the deadly October 7 attacks. this month said The United States is working to negotiate a deal that could lead to a six-week pause in fighting, after working to reach an agreement in November that led to a week-long pause in fighting and the release of more than 100 hostages.
Additionally, the United States has supported Israel’s entry into Rafah, but only if a plan is created to ensure the safety of civilians. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he commanded his army to develop a plan to evacuate civilians before the invasion of Rafah, which borders Egypt and is the only place where humanitarian aid regularly arrives in Gaza.
The president and Netanyahu have increasingly drifted apart publicly over the direction of the war, with Biden continually asking Israel to be mindful of civilian casualties and calling Israel’s response in Gaza “over-the-top.”
And Netanyahu earlier this month rejected Hamas’ proposal for a hostage deal, which would have ensured the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for a pause in fighting and other harsh conditions. The outlined framework called for the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza.
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