Biden gives clean chit to Israel
The News Freedom
Chandigarh, October 18
US President Joe Biden met Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his War Cabinet on Wednesday in Israel for a comprehensive discussion of Israel’s strategy in response to Hamas’ brutal terrorist attack. The President reiterated his steadfast support for Israel and reaffirmed U.S. determination to provide the Israeli government with what it needs to protect its citizens. The leaders also discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas – including Americans, as well as U.S. efforts to facilitate the provision of necessary humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
Biden suggested that Gaza hospital blast was not carried out by the Israeli military. “Based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you,”. Biden said there were “a lot of people out there” who weren’t sure what caused the blast.”
Expressing solidarity with Israeli people , Biden said that “ I wanted to be here today for a simple reason. I wanted the people of Israel, the people of the world to know where the United States stands. I have had my great Secretary of State here. He has been here for — a lot. But I wanted to personally come and make that clear. “The terrorist group Hamas has slaughtered, as has been pointed out, over 1,300 people — and it is not hyperbole to suggest “slaughtered” — “slaughtered” — and — including 31 Americans as part of that” Biden said in statement issued by the White House.
“Today, I’m also announcing $100 million in new U.S. funding for humanitarian assistance in both Gaza and the West Bank. This money will support more than 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians, including emergency needs in Gaza.” Biden further said.
Biden visited Israel on an urgent mission to express solidarity with Israel and also to encourage the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. Incidentally a day before the visit, over 500 people were reported killed in an explosion at a Gaza Strip hospital. The Hamas has blamed the Israeli airstrike for the attack.
The US President in a statement also said that and they have taken scores of people hostage, including children. Imagine what those children hiding from Hamas were thinking. It’s beyond my comprehension to be able to imagine what they were thinking. Beyond my comprehension. They’re — committed evils that — and atrocities that make ISIS look somewhat more rational.
“Americans are grieving with you. They really are. And Americans are worried. Americans are worried because we know there’s — this is not an easy field to navigate what you have to do. But the fact is that Israel, as they respond to these attacks, it seems to me that — have to continue to ensure that you have what you need to defend yourselves. And we’re going to make sure that occurs, as you know, Biden told Israeli Prime Minister.
He further said that “we have to also bear in mind that Hamas does not represent all the Palestinian people and has brought them only suffering. You know, years ago, I asked the Secretary of State, when he and I were working in the Senate, to write something for me. And he said — he wrote a line that I think is appropriate. He said, “It’s not — we lead not just…” Well, I won’t go into it. I’ll wait until later. I’m taking too much time,” he added.
He added that but the point is this — that I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion at the hospital in Gaza yesterday. And based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not — not you. But there’s a lot of people out there who are not sure.
In a joint statement issued by Israel government, Netanyahu told the US President that “the road to victory will be long and hard, but united in purpose and with a deep sense of justice and the unbreakable spirit of our soldiers and our people, Israel will prevail.”
“Mr. President, you are meeting with our united war cabinet, united in resolve to lead Israel to victory. This will be a different kind of war because Hamas is a different kind of enemy. While Israel seeks to minimize civilian casualties, Hamas seeks to maximize civilian casualties. Hamas wants to kill as many Israelis as possible and has no regard whatsoever to Palestinian lives. Every day, they perpetrate a double war crime: targeting our civilians while hiding behind their civilians, embedding themselves in the civilian population and using them as human shields, Netanyahu said.
Holding Hamas responsible for civilian casualities, Israel Prime Minister said that” We’ve seen the cost of this terrible double war crime against humanity that Hamas is perpetrating in the last 11 days. As Israel legitimately targets terrorists, civilians are unfortunately harmed. Hamas is responsible and should be held accountable for all civilian casualties.
He said that we saw the cost of this terrible war crime yesterday when a rocket fired by Palestinian terrorists misfired and landed on a Palestinian hospital. The entire world was rightfully outraged but this outrage should be directed not at Israel but at the terrorists.
“As we proceed in this war, Israel will do everything it can to keep civilians out of harm’s way. We’ve asked them and we will continue to ask them to move to safer areas. We will continue to work with you, Mr. President, to assure that the minimum requirements are met and we will continue to work together to get our hostages out.” he added.
“Mr. President, the road to victory will be long and hard, but united in purpose and with a deep sense of justice and the unbreakable spirit of our soldiers and our people, Israel will prevail” said Israel Prime Minister.