The United States issued its strongest public rebuke toward Israel on Thursday since the start of the Gaza war, conditioning support for Israel’s offensive on concrete Israeli steps to be taken in addressing the safety of aid workers and Palestinian civilians.
U.S. President Joe Biden, a staunch supporter of the offensive until now, called for an immediate ceasefire in a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following an Israeli attack on a World Central Kitchen charity convoy this week that killed seven food aid workers, including a Polish citizen.
The White House said Biden “made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.”
Biden “made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps,” the White House said in a statement.
The statement reflected a sharp change in Biden’s tone and, for what appears to be the first time, a set of strings attached to continued U.S. support. Biden staunchly supported Israel, even when other governments sought to put more pressure on Israel.
His comments marked the first time the U.S. has suggested it would condition its continued support.
The White House said Biden “made clear the need for Israel to announce and implement a series of specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.”
Biden “made clear that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel’s immediate action on these steps,” the White House said in a statement.
The statement reflected a sharp change in Biden’s tone and, for what appears to be the first time, a set of strings attached to continued U.S. support. Biden staunchly supported Israel, even when other governments sought to put more pressure on Israel.
His comments marked the first time the U.S. has suggested it would condition its continued support.
Source: Reuters
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