Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday criticized the Biden administration’s decision to abstain from a vote on a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, arguing it made Hamas and Iran happy.
“Hamas, when they saw the abstention, were thrilled,” Pompeo said on Fox News’s “The Story” with anchor Martha MacCallum.
“The Chinese Communist Party? Happier than heck. The Russians? Happier than heck. The Iranians? Absolutely beyond themselves, thrilled that the United States of America refused to stand up for its ally.”
“I think that’s so telling,” Pompeo continued. “That’s very risky, for every American, when you see the United States walk away from its long-term strategic ally and friend in the Middle East.”
The Security Council passed the legally binding cease-fire resolution Monday, with 14 votes in favor, none against and the U.S. abstention. It calls for an immediate cease-fire during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and immediate release of hostages.
Following the U.S. abstention, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a government delegation’s visit to Washington. In a statement, the prime minister’s office said the abstention was “a clear departure from the consistent position of the United States at the Security Council since the beginning of the war.”
“The United States has abandoned its policy in the UN today,” the statement reads. “In light of the change in the US position, Prime Minister Netanyahu decided that the delegation will remain in Israel.”
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said he was “disappointed” in the cancellation in a press call.
“We’re very disappointed that they won’t be coming to Washington, D.C., to allow us to have a fulsome conversation with them about viable alternatives to going in on the ground in Rafah,” Kirby said.
Israel is planning an invasion of Rafah, a city in southern Gaza.
