House Republicans criticize Biden for ‘weakening’ Israel post-UN ceasefire vote

EXCLUSIVE — House Republicans are accusing the Biden administration of undermining Israel in its war against Hamas by abstaining from a vote on a United Nations resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. 

In a letter sent to President Joe Biden on Thursday, GOP lawmakers criticized the administration’s decision not to cast a vote on the measure, noting the abstention cleared the way for it to pass. The move also prompted backlash from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Republicans suggesting the decision has contributed toward the United States’s deteriorating relationship with its close ally. 

“The recent actions of your Administration have significantly strained our relationship with one of America’s closest allies and led Prime Minister Netanyahu to cancel his visit to the United States,” Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), the leading Republican on the letter, wrote. “We urge you to support Israel in its fight against Hamas and stop undermining them on the world stage.”

The letter comes in response to a resolution that passed through the United Nations earlier this week calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The U.S. chose not to cast a vote on the measure, ultimately leading to its passage — a decision that prompted Netanyahu to cancel a scheduled visit to the U.S. 

The U.S. has previously vetoed similar resolutions calling for a ceasefire. However, the latest iteration called for the release of hostages, language that has been pushed by U.S. officials. 

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the country could not vote in favor of the resolution nonetheless because it did not agree with the full text, prompting the abstention. Republicans criticized the passage of the resolution, arguing a ceasefire would give the Hamas militant group an opportunity to “reorganize and re-arm.” 

“Hamas leaders have no intentions to end their repeated assaults on Israel. It is wholly unrealistic to expect Israel to consent to a ceasefire unless it can reassure its citizens that its enemies are no longer a genuine threat,” the letter states. “This ceasefire represents nothing more than an extension of the Biden Administration’s failed appeasement tactics in the region, further emboldening Hamas and its allies to resume its horrible attacks.”

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At least 11 other House Republicans signed on to the letter, including Reps. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Eli Crane (R-AZ), Alex Mooney (R-WV), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Gary Palmer (R-AL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Josh Brecheen (R-OK), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Randy Weber (R-TX), and Andrew Clyde (R-GA). 

The letter calls for a “prompt response” from the president, although it’s not clear whether Biden will do so. The Washington Examiner contacted the White House for comment.