US President Joe Biden made a significant statement on Friday regarding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. In a post on X, Biden emphasized that the majority of Palestinians are not affiliated with Hamas and reiterated that Hamas does not represent the entire Palestinian population. He went on to assert that Palestinians, like many others, are also suffering due to the actions of Hamas, which he labeled as terrorism. Biden’s remarks come amidst escalating violence in the region, with Israeli strikes reportedly claiming the lives of at least 71 people in southern and central Gaza, as reported by AP.
Biden’s stance on the conflict and his comment on the majority of Palestinians has been consistent since the recent surge in violence, which began after Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and abducted another 250 in an attack on October 7. The US President has firmly backed Israel’s right to defend itself, urging Congress to provide additional weapons and aid to support Israel’s offensive against Hamas operatives and efforts to rescue Israeli hostages.
Despite his support for Israel’s security, the White House has publicly expressed differences with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on key issues. One such issue is the “two-state solution,” which Biden favors but faces opposition from Netanyahu and many within his coalition. Additionally, the White House has raised concerns about civilian casualties caused by Israeli airstrikes, highlighting the need for Israel to minimize civilian harm in its operations.
Biden’s campaign spokesperson, Ammar Moussa, emphasized the President’s engagement with leaders in the Muslim and Arab American communities to listen to their perspectives on various issues. Moussa reiterated Biden’s calls for Israel to take measures to avoid civilian casualties and highlighted his efforts to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza amidst the conflict.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has sounded the alarm about the dire situation in Gaza. Philippe Lazzarini, the agency’s chief, warned that UNRWA is facing a critical point as it grapples with challenges exacerbated by the conflict. He lamented the increasing casualties among children, journalists, medical personnel, and UN staff in Gaza, describing the situation as a “breaking point.”
Lazzarini pointed to the freezing of funding by donors and pressure from Israel to dismantle UNRWA as major obstacles to its operations. He underscored the agency’s mandate, established through a General Assembly resolution in 1949, and expressed concern that its ability to fulfill its responsibilities is now seriously threatened.
The resolution creating UNRWA was adopted following the establishment of Israel, aiming to provide assistance and support to Palestinian refugees. However, recent allegations against some UNRWA staff members in connection with the October 7 attack have led several nations, including the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, to halt funding to the agency.
According to Lazzarini, UNRWA is currently facing a funding gap of $438 million for 2024, with over half of the anticipated funding frozen by donors. This shortfall jeopardizes the agency’s ability to address the humanitarian needs of Palestinians in Gaza, exacerbating an already dire situation.
President Biden’s remarks on the majority of Palestinians, underscore the complexity of the Israel-Palestine conflict and the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations like UNRWA in providing assistance to those affected by the violence. While reaffirming support for Israel’s security, Biden emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights and well-being of Palestinians and calls for efforts to minimize civilian casualties and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery.
