US President Joe Biden, together with world leaders, has expressed “outrage” on the assault on Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, which has been below continuous Israeli bombardment for the previous 12 days.
“America stands clearly for the safety of civilian life throughout battle and we mourn the lack of sufferers, medical employees and different harmless individuals on this tragedy,” Biden posted on X earlier than touchdown in Israel on Wednesday morning, the previous Twitter.
In a joint information convention with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Biden reiterated continued US assist for Israel, Washington’s closest ally within the Center East, regardless of the horrific hospital bombing. The Israeli bombardment that killed greater than 3,300 Palestinians got here in response to a lethal assault by the Hamas group on October 7.
So what’s Biden’s place on the Israel-Palestine battle thus far?
What did Biden say in Israel?
Biden advised Netanyahu that the Al Ahli Arab Hospital bombing appeared to have been carried out by “one other crew, not you”, implying that Palestinian armed teams have been behind it. Biden didn’t present any proof to again up his evaluation.
Israel has blamed an errant rocket launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a cost the group has denied.
Palestinian officers have mentioned that the bombing was carried out by Israel, and preliminary estimates point out that 500 individuals have been killed.
I’m deeply saddened and saddened by the explosion at Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza and the ensuing lack of life. Instantly upon listening to this information, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and directed my nationwide…
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 17, 2023
“When the Individuals mentioned their nationwide safety crew would examine the reason for Tuesday night time’s Gaza hospital explosion, many thought there can be a broader inquiry,” mentioned Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, reporting from Tel Aviv.
“However it seems that President Biden has already determined who’s behind the lethal assault.”
Biden expressed his anger at what occurred.
The US President mentioned on Wednesday that Washington will present Israel with every little thing it must defend itself through the ongoing battle in Gaza, with 31 Individuals among the many greater than 1,400 individuals killed inside Israel within the Hamas assault.
“This go to is a vital demonstration of assist for the Israelis.” By insisting {that a} misfired rocket brought on the hospital bloodbath, Biden has successfully given Israel the inexperienced gentle to behave because it sees match,” Al Jazeera’s Fischer mentioned.
What’s Biden’s place on Israel?
Because the October 7 assault by Hamas, the US president’s rhetoric has centered on assist for Israel.
Throughout his first speech on the day of the incident, and in lots of speeches and statements that adopted, Biden spoke at first of Israel’s “proper to defend itself” in opposition to Hamas, which Israel considers a “terrorist “The group is designated as and its Western allies.
“Let me be clear, America stands with Israel,” Biden mentioned on Oct. 7. “Israel has the correct to defend itself and its individuals, full cease.” He has since repeated his unqualified assist for Israel a number of instances.
On October 10, Biden signed a joint assertion together with his high European counterparts condemning the killing of civilians and the taking of prisoners by Hamas.
The joint assertion mentioned, “We make it clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas haven’t any justification, no justification, and should be condemned on the worldwide stage.”
“All of us acknowledge the reputable aspirations of the Palestinian individuals, and assist equal measures for justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians,” it mentioned with out calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, the place till then approx. 800 individuals have been killed.
Has Biden known as for a ceasefire?
not likely. He has shunned holding Israel accountable for the indiscriminate bombing of civilians, hospitals and faculties.
And as an alternative, the main focus continues to be on Israel’s safety. His administration has already despatched weapons and naval vessels in assist of Israel. The US is anxious that regional armed teams akin to Iran-backed Hezbollah might open one other entrance for Israel on the Israel-Lebanon border.
Biden has additionally prevented speaking concerning the huge humanitarian impression of Israel’s ongoing assaults on Gaza, which the United Nations and rights teams have expressed concern about.
The American president has additionally remained silent on the shutdown of water, electrical energy and web within the siege of two.3 million individuals by Israel. An Israeli order for 1.1 million Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza to make room for a floor offensive has additionally failed to draw Biden’s consideration.
Did the US president name for humanitarian help?
However up to now week, his assertion has expanded to incorporate a humanitarian dimension with out explicitly discussing Israel’s function.
“America is working with the governments of Israel, Egypt, Jordan — and with the United Nations — to reduce the humanitarian penalties of the Hamas offensive, create the circumstances essential to resume the movement of help, and uphold the rule of regulation.” To assist. Warfare,” he wrote on his account X on October 14.
However the hospital explosion has already had diplomatic penalties for Biden. Jordan, which was additionally scheduled to host Biden for a summit with the nation’s King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, has postponed the conferences. Biden shouldn’t be welcome in Oman proper now.
Biden’s feedback on October 11 that he had seen photos of kids who had been beheaded throughout a Hamas assault have been retracted by the White Home a day later. The baseless story of the “beheaded youngsters” was broadly circulated on social media and a few US networks, fueling anti-Muslim sentiment.
Has Biden spoken in opposition to Islamophobia?
Earlier this week, a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy was killed by his landlord, a 71-year-old man, in what’s being seen as a hate crime.
Biden condemned the killing. “As Individuals, we should stand collectively and reject Islamophobia and all types of bigotry and hatred. I’ve mentioned time and time once more that I can’t stay silent within the face of hate,” he posted on X.
The US chief has repeatedly mentioned there may be “no place for hate in America” amid stories of rising hate crimes based mostly on faith within the US. He has condemned each the anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiments which have arisen within the wake of the battle.
“Historical past has taught us time and time once more that antisemitism, Islamophobia and all hatred are linked,” Biden tweeted forward of his US go to.
“We’ve to reject hate in each method.”