The U.S. veto on Monday is a bittersweet decision, a U.S. House member told Washington Watch later Monday, because President Joe Biden wants a six-week pause in Israel’s war against Hamas, according to Fox News.
“I'm certainly glad that we are standing with Israel at this point on this resolution, and did not vote for the ceasefire, but the trend unfortunately is going the wrong way,” Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas) told show host Jody Hice.
Monday’s failed resolution would also have mandated unhindered flow of aid into Gaza, money and materials that are well known to fall into the hands of Hamas, the very evil the Israelis have fought since the attacks of last Oct. 7 killed more than 1,200 civilians and resulted in the rape, kidnapping and torture of many more.
The U.N.’s resolution would also have banned the forced relocation of Palestinians living in the region, according to Fox.
“The administration has shown a willingness to call for a temporary ceasefire. It appears that they may be ready to move forward with that resolution in the U.N. Security Council to say that we should call on Israel to stop their offensive in Rafah and to have a temporary ceasefire. That simply, in my estimation, is a mistake,” Moran said.
Two weeks ago: Netanyahu said Hamas is crushed
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to push for the complete destruction of Hamas. Two weeks ago he believed Hamas was on its last legs. A ceasefire, he said, would allow it to regain strength.
“We need to be standing firm firmly and strongly on behalf of our ally Israel," Moran said. "We need to say clearly to Hamas that we agree with Israel when it says Hamas needs to be completely eradicated. There's no place for them in this world."
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the U.N.’s preferred ceasefire, which did not require Hamas to release the remaining Israeli hostages, is toothless.
"Demanding an immediate unconditional cease-fire without an agreement requiring Hamas to release the hostages will not bring about a durable peace. Instead, it could extend the fighting between Hamas and Israel, extend the experience of hostages in captivity," she said.
Moran said the administration’s stance is being too influenced by an election year’s prevailing political winds, particularly from the state of Michigan.
“We're seeing these trends, I think, frankly, because of political pressures that are happening inside the administration of President Biden that come from kind of this pro-Iran and pro-Hamas and pro-terrorist view," he observed. "It’s coming out of Michigan. When you see Michigan on the electoral map, you know it’s a very important place for the President to be watching. He’s being swayed by politics instead of good policy.”
Moran also expressed concern the U.S. was the single voice of dissent for the United Nations resolution. He called for change within the U.N.
UN needs 'redo' after ceasefire vote
“We were the only nation objecting to this resolution. That seems inconceivable to me, and it further, I think, underscores the need to completely redo what's happening in the United Nations,” he said, adding that recently exposed – not for the first time – corruption within the United Nations Relief and Works Agency is a glaring example of anti-Semitism and hate within the U.N.
“We had a hearing in the Foreign Affairs Committee just a few weeks ago that dealt with UNRWA. What we found was anti-Semitic and anti-American and anti-Western propaganda in its educational (curriculum) that's given out to kids and that 12 of the members of UNRWA actually participated directly with the attacks on Oct. 7.
“We’re actually providing funds to this United Nations organization that is not working to provide peace and stability in the region,” Moran said.
