WASHINGTON DC: US President Joe Biden condemned the Hamas-led attacks that killed hundreds of Israelis, saying the events were “unconscionable” and “heartbreaking,” with “no justification” — and reiterating Washington’s “rock solid” support for Israel.
“As this situation continues to develop, let there be no mistake,” he said, “The United States stands with the state of Israel.”
Biden said he had also spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — who, like many Israelis and Jews around the world, was ending a week of religious observations for the holiday of Sukkot — to convey that message, and had also been in contact with the king of Jordan and top U.S. national security officials.
In a call with reporters, a senior Biden administration official said the White House had been engaging all day with top officials or leaders, including those from the Palestinian Authority, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany, the U.K. and Italy.
The official was not identified, as is customary during these background calls.
Saturday’s attacks by the militant Palestinian group produced a rare moment of agreement among high-ranking American politicians on both sides of the U.S.’ deep political divide. Many also alluded to the global impacts of the violence.
“The unprovoked terror attack today and the murders of innocent Israeli citizens are a stark reminder of the brutality of Hamas and Iran-backed extremists,” Representative Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican who is campaigning to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives, said in a statement.
“The indiscriminate killings of men, women and children are sickening.”
The White House official noted the unusual situation U.S. lawmakers find themselves in after the historic ouster of the previous House speaker, Kevin McCarthy — a move that leaves Congress effectively immobilized until a new speaker is chosen.
(VOA)
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