Obama warns that some of Israel’s actions in Gaza may backfire
Some of Israel’s actions in its war against Hamas, like cutting off food and water for Gaza, could harden Palestinian attitudes for generations and weaken international support for Israel, former US President Barack Obama said yesterday. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2023 10:39 AM MYT
WASHINGTON, Oct 24 — Some of Israel’s actions in its war against Hamas, like cutting off food and water for Gaza, could “harden Palestinian attitudes for generations” and weaken international support for Israel, former US President Barack Obama said yesterday.
In rare comments on an active foreign policy crisis, Obama said any Israeli military strategy that ignores the human costs of the war “could ultimately backfire.”
“The Israeli government’s decision to cut off food, water and electricity to a captive civilian population (in Gaza) threatens not only to worsen a growing humanitarian crisis; it could further harden Palestinian attitudes for generations, erode global support for Israel, play into the hands of Israel’s enemies, and undermine long-term efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region,” Obama said.
Israel has heavily bombarded Gaza with air strikes since Hamas’ October 7 assault on Israel left over 1,400 people dead. Israel’s air strikes have killed more than 5,000 Palestinians, Gaza officials say.
Obama condemned Hamas’ attack and reiterated his support for Israel’s right to defend itself, while cautioning about risks to civilians in such wars.
It was not clear whether Obama had coordinated his statement with US President Joe Biden, who served as his vice president for eight years.
During his presidency, Obama often backed Israel’s right to self-defence at the start of conflicts with Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza, but quickly called for Israeli restraint once Palestinian casualties mounted from airstrikes.
Gaza, a 45km-long strip of land that is home to 2.3 million people, has been ruled politically since 2007 by Hamas, an Iran-backed Islamist group, but faces a blockade from Israel.
The Obama administration sought, but ultimately failed to broker, a peace deal in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Since taking office in early 2021, Biden has not tried to resume long-stalled talks, saying that leaders on both sides were too intransigent and the climate was not right.
Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a testy relationship when Obama was in office, including when Obama’s administration was negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran.
Biden, as Obama’s vice president, often acted as a mediator between the two men.
In his statement on Monday, Obama acknowledged that the US had itself “fallen short of our higher values when engaged in war”, especially after the September 11, 2001 attacks. — Reuters
Obama was probably the least sympathetic US President towards Israel of the last 70 years.
ReplyDeleteHis policies would have been even worse if he hadn't been constrained by the realities of the US Public's support for Israel which is deep and wide.
Wakakaka…
ReplyDelete"the realities of the US Public's support for Israel which is deep and wide"
Know-nothing fart on parade!
YouGov polling 2023 - 7 in 10 Americans — including 81 percent of Republicans and 74 percent of Democrats — support providing aid to Israel.
DeleteUS Public's support for Israel is deep and wide.
Where is YOUR bullshit data, CK Motherfucker ?
Your stats are from The Hill, a media known to have sacked Katie Halper in 2022 describing Israel as an "apartheid" state.
DeleteGallup polling earlier this year showing for the first time that Democrats expressed more sympathy for the Palestinians (49%) than the Israelis (38%)
Wakakaka…
DeleteKnow-nothing mfer, when u want to argue with facts, DON'T quote one-sided & known biased sources!
Comprehendi?
new Pew Research Center survey.
Overall, Americans continue to express more positive feelings toward the Israeli people than toward the Palestinian people – and to rate the Israeli government more favorably than the Palestinian government.
But these gaps are much larger among older Americans than among younger ones. Indeed, U.S. adults under 30 view the Palestinian people at least as warmly (61% very or somewhat favorable) as the Israeli people (56%) and rate the Palestinian government as favorably (35%) as the Israeli government (34%).
The new survey, conducted March 7-13 2022 among 10,441 U.S. adults.
Most noticeable is the RATE of change of support.
For Palestine, the rate is from 46% to 52%.
For the Israel, the number is from 64% to 67%.
For someone who reads numbers, the rate of growth/decline is the key in determining future trend!
Besides, I DONT consider PEW Research a neutral party. It's a known Yankee/Israeli narratives adherent organisation.
But, coming from a biased organisation, the numbers r indeed telling!
Mfer, go figure. Don't waste yr neurons absorbing Yankee/Zionist fart!
https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/1716856707542921329?t=L-LmkHvQgtnIwwJhN5p93Q&s=19
ReplyDelete