Netanyahu-'US Change In Position Hurts War Effort'

Wires reporting comments from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu saying that the "US change in position hurts [the] war effort and efforts to release hostages." Comes as the US abstains on a vote that allows the passage of a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the holy month of Ramadan (see 1518GMT bullet). The resolution “Demands an immediate ceasefire for Ramadan respected by all parties… and also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”. Israel called on the US to veto the resolution due to the lack of an explicit condemnation of Hamas' activities.

• The cancellation of the high-profile Israeli delegation's visit is the clearest sign of a political schism between the Israeli and US gov'ts. White House National Security Council coordinator John Kirby stated immediately after the vote that "Our vote does not and I repeat, does not represent a shift in our policy... but because the final text does not have the language that we think is essential, like a condemnation of Hamas, we could not support it."
• While the US remains the main military backer of Israel, reportsearlier today suggest that the Israeli gov't could be forced to look elsewhere for supplies given the US' strong objection to any IDF ground operation in the city of Rafah.
• The Netanyahu gov't has seemingly committed itself to a ground operation in Rafah, but this risks an unprecedented international backlash, including from the US.