Pentagon statement backing Israel fails to mention Palestinians
2 hours ago
In a statement describing a call between US defence secretary Lloyd Austin and his Israeli counterpart Benny Gantz on Saturday, the Pentagon chief reaffirmed support for what Washington calls "Israel's right to defend itself" while failing to mention Palestinians.
Austin "strongly condemned the continued onslaught of attacks by Hamas" and other "terrorist" groups targeting Israeli civilians, according to the Pentagon's statement.
The secretary's call echoes a similar one earlier on Saturday between US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which came after Israel bombed a building housing the offices of several media outlets in Gaza, including the Associated Press and Middle East Eye.
The Biden administration's stance on the recent attacks on Palestinians by Israeli forces, including air strikes in Gaza, has been heavily criticised by rights groups, activists, and some members of US Congress.
"To read the statements from President Biden, Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken, General Austin and leaders of both parties, you'd hardly know Palestinians existed at all," said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib on Thursday.
7 hours ago
In his first conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas since taking office, US President Joe Biden on Saturday expressed what he called Washington’s commitment to strengthening the US-Palestinian partnership and asked for Hamas to stop the firing rockets towards Israel.
"President Biden updated President Abbas on U.S. diplomatic engagement on the ongoing conflict and stressed the need for Hamas to cease firing rockets into Israel," said a White House statement.
"They expressed their shared concern that innocent civilians, including children, have tragically lost their lives amidst the ongoing violence."
The call for Hamas to end rocket attacks comes amid refusal from the US administration to explicitly call for an immediate ceasefire from both sides. Biden has also failed to criticise Israel's heaving bombardment of Gaza, including the targeting of building housing media offices on Saturday.
Biden highlighted the recent US decision to resume economic and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, voicing support for steps to "enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom and economy opportunity that they deserve."
Abbas’ spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina confirmed the conversation had taken place, telling AFP that it was "important" without elaborating on the details of the exchange.
Biden voices uncritical support for Israel after call with Netanyahu
8 hours ago
The White House issued another statement of uncritical support for Israel on Saturday after a call between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"The president reaffirmed his strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza," the White House said in a statement describing the call.
"He condemned these indiscriminate attacks against towns and cities across Israel."
It was the second time Biden had spoken to Netanyahu since the crisis began. The call came hours after Israel bombed a building housing the offices of several media outlets in Gaza, including the Associated Press and Middle East Eye.
Biden, who had vowed to pursue a foreign policy centring human rights, failed to condemn the attack. Instead, he merely expressed "concern" for the safety of journalists.
The administration has been using the word "concern" when it comes to Israel's action in an apparent effort to avoid explicitly criticising the Israeli government.
"The President noted that this current period of conflict has tragically claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children," the statement said. "He raised concerns about the safety and security of journalists and reinforced the need to ensure their protection."
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