US for 3rd time blocking Security Council joint statement calling for ceasefire -- diplomats tell ToI timesofisrael.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from timesofisrael.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
US objects to UN meeting on Israel, Gaza on Friday, open to one next week 14 May 2021 / 09:20 H. A Palestinian man walks past the remains of a tower building which was destroyed in Israeli air strikes, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, on the first day of Eid al-Fitr holiday, in Gaza City May 13, 2021. - Reuters
NEW YORK: The United States objected to a public UN Security Council discussion on Friday (May 14) of worsening violence between Israel and Palestinian, but US Secretary of State Antony Blinken left the door open to a meeting early next week. 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, Blinken said on Thursday. We are open to and supportive of a discussion, an open discussion, at the United Nations.
By Michelle Nichols
The United States, a close ally of Israel, cited diplomatic efforts as the reason for the objection, saying a council discussion would not be productive, but left the door open for a possible meeting on Tuesday, the diplomats said.
“The United States communicated support for an open meeting in the Security Council early next week in order to give space to diplomatic efforts under way at the highest levels to de-escalate tensions and move toward a ceasefire,” said an official at the U.S. mission to the United Nations.
The 15-member council has met privately twice this week on the worst hostilities in the region in years, but has so far been unable to issue a public statement because the United States did not believe it would be helpful, diplomats said.
May. 13, 2021 7:58 PM
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday called for a de-escalation of violence in the Middle East as the conflict in Gaza intensified, saying he wants to see a significant reduction in rocket attacks.
Biden, speaking to reporters at the White House, also said he expects to have more talks with leaders in the region.
The United States also objected to a request by China, Norway and Tunisia for a public, virtual meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss the worsening violence between Israel and Palestinian militants, diplomats said.
The United States, a close ally of Israel, cited diplomatic efforts as the reason for the objection, saying a council discussion would not be productive, but left the door open for a possible meeting on Tuesday, the diplomats said.
The US objected to a request by China, Norway and Tunisia for a public, virtual meeting of the UNSC to discuss the worsening violence between Israel and Palestinian