President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a Hanukkah reception at the White House in Washington, December 11, 2023. [Picture: Elizabeth Frantz/Pool/Reuters]
US president Joe Biden’s criticism of the terrorist Israeli regime’s “indiscriminate bombing” of civilians is the latest indication of a shifting tone from the White House. But Washington’s unwavering support for the aggressor persists, with delegates refusing to back UN resolutions for a ceasefire in Gaza, Palestine.
Addressing donors at a fundraiser on Tuesday, Biden said PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was “starting to lose that support by indiscriminate bombing that takes place”.
“This is the most conservative government in Israel’s history,” he said, adding that Netanyahu had to “change this government” because there were hardliners who were against the existence of Palestine.
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Remarks by Biden and US vote at UN
While it appeared Biden aligned his tune with the shifting public mood, the US was one of a handful of countries that opposed a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
On Tuesday, the 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted overwhelmingly in favour of the resolution. The non-binding resolution passed with 153 countries voting in favour, 23 abstaining and 10 countries voting against.
“We thank all those who supported the draft resolution that was just adopted by a huge majority,” said Saudi Arabia’s UN ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil after the vote. “This reflects the international position to call for the enforcement of this resolution,” he said.
The growing movement against apartheid Israel stepped up pressure as the number of Palestinians murdered in the Gaza genocide rose rapidly. The majority of the more than 18 000 Palestinians killed were women and children.
