The United States recently abstained from voting on a United Nations ceasefire resolution demanding a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas War, drawing the ire of Republicans. Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) issued a letter to the Biden Administration condemning the decision, calling it "shameful."
The resolution passed in the UN did not condemn Hamas' actions on October 7th, when they slaughtered 1,200 civilians and took over 200 more hostage. In response to the U.S.'s abstention from voting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retaliated by canceling a planned diplomatic meeting in Washington.
Rep. Biggs' letter noted that a ceasefire would only benefit Hamas, saying, "An immediate ceasefire in the region would allow Hamas to reorganize and re-arm. 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."
After all, the terrorist organization has publicly stated its intentions of striking again on a scale similar to October 7th, and thus Israel cannot "consent to a ceasefire unless it can reassure
its citizens that its enemies are no longer a genuine threat."
In November, shortly after the October 7th attack, Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad said the militants' actions, which included acts of mass murder, rape, and other atrocities, were justified and that "we must teach Israel a lesson, and we will do this again and again."
The vote abstention is the latest instance of the Biden Administration's apparent hamstringing of Israel as they seek to destroy Hamas. For instance, Vice President Kamala Harris recently warned there would be "consequences" if the Jewish State advanced on the city of Rafah, while President Biden announced a plan to build a pier on the Gaza coast allowing American ships to deliver humanitarian aid to Gazans, sparking concerns from Republicans that Hamas would steal it for themselves.
"The Biden Administration’s refusal to support our ally on the world stage is shameful. Joe Biden and his officials must immediately reiterate the United States’ commitment to support our strongest Middle Eastern ally," Rep. Biggs concluded.
Cosigners of Biggs' letter include fellow Arizona Republican Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ) and Florida Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL).