White House Explains Why It Abstained From Voting On U.N. Resolution

After widespread criticism over the Biden administration’s absentia vote on a United Nations ceasefire resolution on Monday, the White House is trying to claim that its decision to not vote on the resolution is not as it seems.

During an appearance on NPR’s “All Things Considered,” White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby explained that the resolution reflected the administration’s “policy, which has not changed, about linking the hostage release to a ceasefire.”

As he explained, “the language in this resolution is very much consistent with what we’ve said, which is, we want all the hostages out in conjunction with a ceasefire.”

However, he also said that the resolution failed to condemn Hamas, a detail the administration acknowledges is “important” if the U.N. wants to stand for what is right amid the war between Israel and Hamas.

According to Kirby, the administration decided not to support the resolution because of its failure to condemn Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. However, it also did not veto the resolution because it “broadly” reflects the administration’s stance on a ceasefire.

The Biden administration has received backlash for its decision, which is seen by many as the U.S. turning its back on Israel. Republican lawmakers, including, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) have all condemned President Joe Biden and his administration for the move in posts to X.

Scott called the decision not to vote “a disgrace.”

“Instead of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our great ally, the Biden administration has undermined Israel and emboldened Hamas terrorists at every turn,” he wrote.

President Biden’s lack of leadership and inaction at the UN are a disgrace.

Instead of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our great ally, the Biden administration has undermined Israel and emboldened Hamas terrorists at every turn. https://t.co/2EPQ27BHbI

— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) March 25, 2024

Cotton called out Biden for his shaky stance on Israel, writing, “Immediately after 10/7, President Biden defended Israel. But it was just words from a failed politician. After a few bad polls, he has decided to throw Israel under the bus.”

Immediately after 10/7, President Biden defended Israel.

But it was just words from a failed politician.

After a few bad polls, he has decided to throw Israel under the bus.

— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) March 25, 2024

“Today, in a shocking betrayal, the Biden admin REFUSED to veto a UN vote demanding an end to fighting in Gaza. REMINDER: Hamas terrorists slaughtered THOUSANDS of innocents, committed heinous war crimes, & are STILL doing so to this day. Israel has EVERY RIGHT to defend itself,” Donalds tweeted.

Today, in a shocking betrayal, the Biden admin REFUSED to veto a UN vote demanding an end to fighting in Gaza.

REMINDER: Hamas terrorists slaughtered THOUSANDS of innocents, committed heinous war crimes, & are STILL doing so to this day.

Israel has EVERY RIGHT to defend itself. pic.twitter.com/lsUlY5llsG

— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) March 25, 2024

Cruz used the opportunity to call for the reversal of the anti-Israel policies, which he called “reckless and catastrophic.”

Today, the Biden Administration Facilitated the passage of pro-Hamas United Nations Resolution.

I am calling on the administration officials, including and especially State Department officials, to reverse these reckless and catastrophic policies. I will continue to hold them… pic.twitter.com/WuqQY4KahM

— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) March 25, 2024

House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) also weighed in to point out the implications of the Biden administration’s failure to veto the resolution.

“By not opposing today’s UNSC resolution, the Biden admin has empowered Hamas terrorists as they shamefully obstruct negotiations to free the hostages. Instead they should have kept continued pressure on Hamas to agree to freeing hostages & a short-term ceasefire,” the committee wrote in a post.

CHM @RepMcCaul “By not opposing today’s UNSC resolution, the Biden admin has empowered Hamas terrorists as they shamefully obstruct negotiations to free the hostages. Instead they should have kept continued pressure on Hamas to agree to freeing hostages & a short-term ceasefire.”

— House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) March 25, 2024