US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that the US will always support Israel, but that Palestinians also have “legitimate aspirations” that are not represented by the violent group Hamas.
“You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself. But as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to. We will always be there by your side,” Blinken said during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as war raged between Israel and Hamas.
“But as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to. We will always be there by your side.”
Paying a solidarity visit as Israel’s army hammered Hamas over weekend attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis, Blinken also provided a new death toll for US nationals, stating that at least 25 were verified deceased.
President Joe Biden has pledged steadfast support for Israel and has not called for moderation against Hamas, but Blinken has hinted at the need for an ultimate peace deal, a concept that has long been opposed by right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.
“Anyone who wants peace and justice must condemn Hamas’ reign of terror. We know Hamas doesn’t represent the Palestinian people or their legitimate aspirations to live with equal measures of security, freedom, justice, opportunity, and dignity,” Blinken said.
Blinken spoke in extremely personal terms about his grandparents fleeing anti-Semitic pogroms in Russia and his stepfather surviving Nazi detention camps.
“I come before you not only as the United States secretary of state but also as a Jew,” said Blinken, who has a secular background.
“I also come before you as a husband and father of young children. It’s impossible for me to look at the photos of families killed, such as the mother, father, and three small children murdered as they sheltered in their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, and not think of my own children,” he said.
Blinken stated that the Biden administration and Congress would work together to meet Israel’s military requirements, which have bipartisan support.
“As Israel’s defence needs evolve, we will work with Congress to make sure that they’re met,” he said.
Speaking beside Blinken, Netanyahu expressed gratitude for US cooperation and stated that Hamas, which administers the blockaded Gaza Strip, should be handled similarly to the Islamic State group.
“Just as ISIS was crushed, so too will Hamas be crushed. And Hamas should be treated exactly the way ISIS was treated,” Netanyahu said.
