Jason Greenblatt, the US Special Representative for International Negotiations, on Thursday criticized the UN after it failed to approve a US-drafted resolution condemning the Hamas terrorist organization.
“Absolutely shameful!! UN failed to condemn Hamas even after years of attacks via suicide bombings, kidnappings, missiles, and more against Israelis. The applause after the vote says it all. Hamas hurts Israelis, Palestinians and peace. When will the UN speak the truth???” tweeted Greenblatt.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo similarly criticized the global body for failing to condemn Hamas.
“Just days after Hamas indiscriminately fired thousands of missiles at Israel’s citizens, the UN could not muster a resolution condemning this band of terrorists. This is yet another disgraceful act of bias toward the Jewish State,” he tweeted.
While the US resolution achieved a majority of 87 countries that voted in favor, that majority was not a two-thirds majority and thus the resolution was not approved.
57 countries voted against the resolution, and 33 countries abstained.
Despite the fact that the resolution was not approved, Israel’s UN Ambassador, Danny Danon, described the vote as one that brought Hamas to justice.
“We achieved a plurality. That plurality would have been a majority if the vote had not been hijacked by a political move of procedure. But in one strong, courageous voice, we have brought Hamas to justice,” he said.
Hamas, meanwhile, welcomed the failure of the vote, labelling the result a "slap" to US President Donald Trump's administration.
"The failure of the American venture at the United Nations represents a slap to the US administration and confirmation of the legitimacy of the resistance," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zahri said.