After months of defending Israel’s actions in Gaza and blocking measures at the United Nations Security Council, the United States changed its position and abstained from a vote allowing a resolution to pass calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a strong rebuke and canceled high-level meetings scheduled in Washington this week to discuss Israel’s military plans in Rafah.

Did this week’s vote at the United Nations expose divisions between the two countries?

Joining the discussion: 

• Daniel Seidemann is a lawyer and the founder of the Israeli non-governmental organization Terrestrial Jerusalem.
• Trita Parsi is Executive Vice President of The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
• Matthew Brodsky is a Senior Fellow at the Gold Institute for International Strategy, President of Red Ax Strategies and Board Chair of the American Center for Counter Extremism.
• Joel Rubin is a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs in the Obama Administration.

The UN Security Council has passed its first resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after nearly six months of war. Here are some of the key takeaways ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/BCaZAzPWJ2

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 26, 2024

BREAKING: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancels a diplomatic delegation's visit to Washington to protest a U.N. vote calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. https://t.co/2DW6CMYVtx

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 25, 2024