Obama: actions against Gaza weakening Int'l support for 'Israel'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Oct 2023 12:57
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Former US President Barack Obama reiterates his support for "Israel's right to self-defense".

US President Barack Obama sporting a Kippa during the funeral of Shimon Peres, Occupied Al-Quds, Friday, Sept. 30, 2016 (AP)

Former US President Barack Obama said that the actions taken by "Israel" against Hamas, such as cutting off food and water supplies to Gaza, could lead to the "hardening of Palestinian positions for generations" and "weakening international support for Israel."

Obama said yesterday that any Israeli military strategy that disregards the human casualties of war will ultimately backfire.

"The Israeli government's decision to cut off food, water, and electricity supplies to the besieged civilian population [in Gaza] not only threatens to exacerbate the escalating humanitarian crisis but can also increase the hardening of Palestinian positions for many generations, leading to a decline in global support for Israel and providing an opportunity for Israel's enemies to exploit it against them and undermine long-term efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region."

Obama denounced Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and reiterated his support for "Israel's right to defend itself", but at the same time, he warned of "the risks that civilians face in such wars."

He had said earlier that convincing "Israel" against a ground invasion is conditioned upon the efforts of Middle Eastern leaders to stop Hamas from launching rockets.

It is unclear whether Obama coordinated these statements in advance with incumbent US President Joe Biden, who was his vice president for eight years.

During his presidency, Obama often supported the "Israeli right to self-defense" at the outset of confrontation with Hamas in Gaza, but he quickly called on "Israel" to exercise restraint as civilian casualties among Palestinians increased due to airstrikes.