After blocking two statements at the UN Security Council on the ongoing Israeli violence against Palestinians, the US objected to a planned meeting on the Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza that was to be held publicly on Friday.
The US suggested that the meeting should be held next Tuesday, but after a compromise, the Security Council agreed to discuss the matter on Sunday. When asked about the delay, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he hopes pushing the meeting back would “give some time for the diplomacy.”
“We are open to and supportive of a discussion, an open discussion at the United Nations. I think we’re looking at early next week,” Blinken said at a press conference. “This, I hope, will give some time for the diplomacy to have some effect and to see if, indeed, we get a real de-escalation and can then pursue this at the United Nations in that context.”
The issue with Blinken’s reasoning is that the Israelis show no sign of seeking a de-escalation. On Wednesday night, Israel rejected a truce offer from Hamas and chose to intensify airstrikes indefinitely. Bombs pounded Gaza throughout Thursday. Over 100 Palestinians have been killed so far, including dozens of children.
Thanks as always, Dave, both for the information and the insights. We all know why the UNSC meeting has been scheduled for Sunday: to allow Israel time to finish the job and present the world a fait accompli. As usual.
I guess Blinken’s description of “diplomacy” is different from most. Or he doesn’t read the news and isn’t listening to Gantz and Netanyahu. Sure, lets wait until next Tuesday, maybe Gaza will no longer exist by then. Problem solved.
In other words, the Security Council is on hold until the Israeli ground action is complete, the Palestinian body count in the 1,000’s.
F-ck Biden.
Seems like the U.S. is just giving Israel more time to kill people cause they haven’t killed enough yet before they let the UN Council weigh in.
How utterly tragic, hypocritical and predictably spineless.
The US “sponsorship” of Israel is costing our country dearly in terms of international leadership and lost confidence.
Antony Blinken, a career bureaucrat, is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and the Trilateral Commission. Most of the players on the “Biden team” are CFR members, including the secretaries of State, Treasury, Defense, Commerce, Homeland Security and CIA — plus dozens more. Same stuff, different decade.