Biden: ‘Israeli occupation of Gaza would be mistake’
Barely a little more than a week into the Gaza conflict and the Biden administration is already showing that it is confused about the conflict and unsure of the role the US should play, despite sending a fleet of battleships to the Eastern Mediterranean .
On October 15, The US President said that Israel occupying Gaza again would be a “mistake”, reports AFP, just eight days after Hamas fighters began its operation to attack Israel and capture hostages.
During an interview with American news network, CBS, Joe Biden said, “I think it’d be a big mistake” if Israel was to occupy Gaza as well as noting that militant Islamist group, Hamas, “don’t represent all the Palestinian people”.
The Iran-backed group have been in control of the caged Gaza Strip since 2007.
The leader of the free world also claimed that an Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip may be required to “take out the extremists”.
Despite Israel’s constant occupation of Palestinian territories and the cutting off of food, water, and medicine supplies for Palestinians, a move recognised as a violation of international law, Washington has long been one of their greatest allies.
Every year the United States gives military aid to Israel to the tune of 3 billion US Dollars.
Earlier this month, Biden, who is contemplating on visiting the country, affirmed his “unwavering support” for Israel and claimed that they had a right to defend themselves.
In the Western World, many heads of state echoed the sentiments of the American President, for example, France’s Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
READ: British Home Secretary toughens stance on pro-Palestinian activism
The US President added, “Israel has one of the finest fighting forces in the country. I guarantee we’re going to provide them everything they need.”.
Israel first occupied Gaza during the 1967 Six-Day War and it was only granted to Palestinians back in 2005.
The 1967 Six-Day War (commonly referred to as the Arab-Israeli war) was fought between Israel and multiple Arab States notably, Syria, Egypt, and Jordan.
The tensions broke out between the two parties amidst poor relations between Israel and Arab countries following the 1949 Armistice Agreements. Israel were the victors in the conflict.
On October 12, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken went on a trip to Israel to meet far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During the meeting Blinken said, “The message I bring with me is this: You (Israel) may be strong enough on your own to defend yourselves but as long as America exists you will never have to,”.
READ: Blinken visits Israel amidst escalating tensions in region
AFP
