(Wall Street Journal) Editorial - The U.S. withheld its veto and abstained as the UN Security Council passed a resolution that demanded a ceasefire in Gaza but didn't make the ceasefire contingent on Hamas releasing its 134 hostages. That condition, on which the U.S. had previously insisted, has been dropped. The reactions to the resolution tell the real story: Hamas welcomed it and Russia, China and Algeria voted for it, while Israel called it "a clear departure from the consistent U.S. position," adding that it "gives Hamas hope that international pressure will force Israel to accept a ceasefire without the release of our hostages." Initial support for destroying Hamas has faded. Administration leaks about international isolation and weapons embargoes drive home the point. But Americans don't want to see Hamas survive to repeat Oct. 7. The March Harvard CAPS Harris poll finds that 63% of voters support a ceasefire only after Hamas releases the hostages and is removed from power. 2/3 say Israel is trying to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza.
2024-03-26 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive