In the wake of recent terrorist attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, both US President Joe Biden and Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have unequivocally condemned these actions and pledged their support for Israel.
President Biden, in a statement, offered “rock solid” support for Israel, emphasizing that the United States stands with the Israeli people as they face these acts of terrorism. He characterized the situation as a “terrible tragedy on a human level” and underscored the right of Israel to defend itself and its citizens. President Biden stated, “There’s never a justification for terrorist attacks, and my administration’s support for Israeli’s security is rock solid and unwavering.” He further revealed that he had held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reiterate his support.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin echoed the sentiment, affirming the US commitment to ensuring that Israel has the necessary resources for its defense.
Discussions regarding military assistance between US and Israeli officials were already in progress, and there are expectations of an official announcement from the US in the coming days. A senior US administration official indicated that an announcement could be made as early as Sunday.
While expressing concern about the situation’s potential escalation, President Biden cautioned that this moment should not be exploited by any party hostile to Israel. He emphasized that the world is closely observing the developments in the region.
Furthermore, President Biden hinted at potential Iranian involvement, noting that it was “too early to say” if Iran played a direct role in the large-scale attack by Hamas. However, he acknowledged that Hamas receives funding, equipment, and arms from Iran and other sources.
In response to the situation, US diplomat Antony Blinken engaged with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and urged regional leadership to condemn the attacks on Israel. Abbas, whose Fatah movement is a rival to Hamas, received Blinken’s call.
Former President Donald Trump alleged that the recent release of $6 billion to Iran, as part of a prisoner exchange agreement, indirectly funded the attacks. He stated, “Sadly, American taxpayer dollars helped fund these attacks, which many reports are saying came from the Biden Administration.” This claim aligns with Republican assertions that the funds intended for humanitarian purposes were diverted to support the Hamas attack.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates swiftly responded on social media, categorizing these allegations as baseless falsehoods. He stated, “This is a shameful lie in every respect, at a time when both parties should be totally united in supporting Israel’s defense.” Bates clarified that the funds were earmarked for verified humanitarian purposes, such as providing food and medicine.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom also decried the attacks by the Hamas militant group and expressed unequivocal support for Israel. In a statement, Prime Minister Sunak denounced the attack as “cowardly and depraved” and affirmed solidarity with Israel. He disclosed that the UK government had conveyed full solidarity with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and was collaborating with international partners to coordinate support.
