Biden-Netanyahu rift grows, as Israel cancels delegation visit
Washington PostMar 21
UNSC Draft Resolution Calls for 'Immediate' Gaza Cease-fire, Release of Hostages
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Above: Members of the United Nations Security Council attend a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question on Oct. 16, 2024 in New York City. Image copyright: Michael M. Santiago/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) have circulated a draft resolution calling for "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza along with the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages." The draft was reportedly lightly edited in a bid to gain American support.
The draft would also "underscore" that the UN's primary agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) "remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza." Last month, Israel's Knesset voted overwhelmingly to ban the UNRWA from operating in Israel over Israeli allegations that the agency works with Hamas.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the situation in the region continues to escalate, the US has stood firm in its role as a mediator. Israel has every right to respond to the daily terror attacks it has seen since Oct. 7. However, it's in no one's interest for tensions to explode into a wider regional war. The US will continue to work toward regional stability.
Pro-Israel narrative
Amid ongoing terror from Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran, the world has turned its back on Israel. Whole stretches of the region have been taken hostage by Iran-backed terror groups while Israel is fighting to liberate the Middle East. Indeed, Israel does not only have a right to defend itself — it has a right to win.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel and the US are using the exact same playbook they've been using throughout this entire war — feigning diplomacy while escalating the conflict. Indeed, Israel has demonstrated that it seeks to expand its genocidal campaign that began in Gaza to Lebanon. Though the US, the most powerful country in the world, has continued its charade that it wants de-escalation, the reality is the US fully supports Israel's crimes across the region.
