On Monday, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met in New York to discuss the Biden administration’s ceasefire proposal between Israel and Hamas. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Middle East during this time to further promote the ceasefire, which was backed by the UNSC during Monday’s meeting with a unanimous 14-0 vote (with Russia abstaining).

The New York Times described this as “a sign of the growing frustration among the world’s major powers over the war and the desire to bring it to an end.” And yet, there appears to be more to consider regarding these negotiations than mere tension. While Israeli officials did confirm they’re willingness to consider the negotiations, they had certain “necessary conditions” including “the destruction of the military and governing capabilities of Hamas, the freeing of all remaining hostages, and the assurance that Gaza will not represent a future threat to Israel,” as Family Research Council President Tony Perkins explained on “Washington Watch” Tuesday.

At a glance, phase one of the plan entails a full ceasefire with the release of some hostages, phase two also involves releasing hostages should Israel fully withdraw from Gaza, and phase three is “a major multi-year reconstruction plan for Gaza.” This plan, however, does not seem to meet Israel’s requirements. Knowing that, Perkins asked, what do “we know about the U.N. Security Council … aligning with Israeli priorities?” — a question Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) tackled on Tuesday’s episode.

According to the congressman, any U.N. involvement should result in skepticism, since “they time and time again don’t represent our interest.” But in this specific instance, he urged, this plan is “not in Israel’s best interest.”

Burchett explained the three layers of the ceasefire proposal, emphasizing that none of the phases truly aid Israel’s top two priorities of eliminating Hamas and freeing all the hostages. Additionally, he added, “[Y]ou got to ask yourself, what in the world is the United States doing negotiating with terrorists? Hamas is a terrorist organization.” Ultimately, this war is “just fraught with problems,” he sighed. “[L]et Israel handle this. This is not our business, and United Nations is showing just how … wrong they are once again.”

Perkins also highlighted a concern with the last item on the resolution, which states the UNSC’s “unwavering commitment to the vision of a two state solution where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders.” In effect, Perkins noted, “This is essentially giving up the heart of Israel. … I can’t imagine that they’re supportive of this.”

“Clearly,” Burchett stated, “this is just pure politics. … [A]nytime we do anything with United Nations, it is tainted at best.” But he went on to emphasize that both this ceasefire plan, as well as what is reported in the media, is “very suspect,” while also drawing on the fact that “it’s unbelievable how fast this country, our learning institutions, and our so-called intelligentsia have turned on our ally Israel.”

Perkins agreed, also bringing light to the fact that these negotiations mapped out by the UNSC seem to be heavily beneficial for Hamas. Because ultimately, he continued, what this plan does is rebuild land Hamas’s actions “destroyed” and gives them “a whole state to govern by” themselves. In a sense, “we’re rewarding these terrorists,” Perkins exclaimed. And “these people are terrorists,” Burchett added. “They … kidnapped innocent civilians, some of them are American citizens,” and murdered thousands of others. “And yet,” the congressman huffed, “we want to play footsie with them.”

As Burchett pointed out, “I think we ought to listen to what Netanyahu says. We’re not going to do anything until we destroy the military wing of Hamas and their leadership,” which he highlighted is a group supported by the Palestinian people. “The people in Gaza brought this group in,” he said. “This is their doing. … [T]hese people are terrorists and they need to be treated as such. And any negotiation with them is bad.” Perkins agreed, “Hold Hamas accountable, not Israel. It’s Hamas that’s responsible for this.”

What needs to be done, Burchett concluded, is “let Israel go in there and end this as fast as possible. That’s going to save the most lives. And if the U.N. wants to end this thing, tell Hamas to release all the hostages.”