Netanyahu cancels Washington visit over U.S. abstention from UN Gaza cease-fire vote
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Netanyahu cancelled a planned visit to Washington after the U.S. abstained from a UN vote calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. A spokesperson said the visit would have sent the "wrong message" to Hamas.
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The spokesperson criticized the U.S. vote as a departure from its typical support for Israel against Hamas. She said the resolution was celebrated by Hamas and supported by Russia and China.
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The cancelled visit was to discuss the war in Gaza. Israel is threatening to invade Rafah where over 1 million Palestinians are sheltering.
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The U.S. vote marks a shift in Biden's unwavering support for Israel's counteroffensive. The U.S. has now asked Israel to scale back its operation.
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After the cancelled visit, the White House said it was "perplexed" by Netanyahu's decision. But his office has agreed to reschedule the meeting, potentially as soon as next week.