US ‘always by your side’, Blinken tells Israel

Jerusalem, Undefined – AFP

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed on a visit to Israel Thursday that the United States will “always” back it but said the Palestinians also have “legitimate aspirations” not represented by Hamas.

Palestinian fighters killed 1,300 people in Israel, and took about 150 hostages in their surprise onslaught Saturday. Israel has retaliated by raining air and artillery strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza for six days, claiming over 1,350 lives there.

Israeli forces have prepared for a possible ground invasion of the Palestinian coastal territory after what has been labelled Israel’s 9/11.

“You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself,” Blinken said at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “But as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to. We will always be there by your side.”

Israel has levelled entire city blocks in Gaza and destroyed thousands of buildings, the army said.

US President Joe Biden has vowed unwavering support for Israel and not called for restraint against Hamas, but Blinken hinted at the need for an eventual peace settlement — an idea that has long met resistance from the right-wing Netanyahu.

“Anyone who wants peace and justice must condemn Hamas’ reign of terror,” Blinken said.

“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.”

Netanyahu voiced appreciation for US support, which includes military aid, and said that Hamas, which rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, should be treated like 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.

Blinken, speaking in personal terms, said that “I come before you not only as the United States secretary of state but also as a Jew” and “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.