Israel cancels White House visit after US changes position at UN

1. BreakingUS abstention 'clear retreat' from previous position - Netanyahu

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the US's failure to veto the ceasefire resolution was a "clear retreat" from its previous position.

   He added it would hurt war efforts against Hamas in Gaza - as well as efforts to release over 130 hostages being held there.

2. Moment UN Security Council passes call for ceasefire

   As we just reported, 14 voted in favour of the resolution and zero against, with one abstention.

   Here's a video of the moment it was announced.

   Video content

   Video caption: Moment UN Security Council passes call for ceasefireMoment UN Security Council passes call for ceasefire

3. Who proposed the resolution - and who voted for it?

   In short, the 10 elected members of the UN Security Council proposed the resolution:

   • Algeria
   • Sierra Leone
   • Mozambique
   • Republic of Korea
   • Japan
   • Slovenia
   • Guyana
   • Ecuador
   • Malta
   • Switzerland

   "The Palestinian people has suffered greatly," Algeria's UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama said after the vote.

   "This bloodbath has continued for far too long. It is our obligation to put an end to this before it is too late."

   There are five permanent Security Council members - China, Russia, France, the UK and US - and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.

   Fourteen members voted in favour of the resolution - with one abstention from the US.

4. Abstention not a policy shift - White House

   The abstention on the Gaza ceasefire vote at the UN does not represent a shift in policy, White House spokesman John Kirby said.

   Kirby said the final UN resolution did not have language the US deemed essential - hence the abstenion.

   He also said that the US would keep talking to Israeli counterparts even if - as we just reported - they didn't send a delegation this week.

5. BreakingIsrael cancels delegation visit to Washington

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has officially cancelled the Israeli delegation to the White House this week.

   In a statement posted online by public broadcaster Kann, the prime minister's office said that the decision was made "in light of the change in the US position".

   Netanyahu had previously threatened to cancel the visit, which comes ahead of an anticipated Israeli ground offensive in Gaza - which the Biden administration has opposed.

   Stay with us for more updates.

6. UN Security Council passes resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza

   You join us as the UN Security Council has passed a resolution calling for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza - something the body has repeatedly tried and failed to do since the war began in October.

   It became possible after the US refrained from vetoing the measure in a change from its previous position - signalling a growing divergence between Washington and its ally Israel over the offensive in Gaza.

   The UN resolution also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

   Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates - and analysis of what this means - right here.

   

   ReutersCopyright: Reuters