On March 26, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) released the following statement on Monday’s U.N. resolution:

“I fear that yesterday’s abstention will only embolden Hamas and delay the safe return of the hostages—including the Americans. Fewer than 24 hours after this vote, Hamas backtracked and the critical, ongoing negotiations stalled. Israeli negotiators reported from Doha that Hamas has walked away from further discussions.

I’m shocked that the Administration allowed the biased U.N. to pass a resolution that failed to criticize Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization that five months ago brutally killed, raped, burned alive and kidnapped more than 1,200 civilians. The resolution also called for an unconditional ceasefire without requiring the release of the hostages.

More than 130 hostages, including Americans, have been held in horrific conditions for nearly six months. Women have been brutally raped and beaten.

The international community has long unfairly scrutinized and ostracized Israel at the U.N.. This resolution is no different.

Israel is in the midst of a war of survival against Iranian-backed proxies and terrorists that seek her destruction. Like any country, Israel has the right to defend herself from existential threats.

We must continue to stand with our key ally, Israel, and work to bring all of the hostages home, crush the terrorists, and provide humanitarian aid to innocent Palestinians being used as human shields by Hamas terrorists.”