Biden officials alarmed by soaring Palestinian death toll in Gaza
Biden officials alarmed by soaring Palestinian death toll in Gaza
Administration officials are worried that the president’s quick support for Israel after Hamas’ attack could backfire.
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Oh fuck off on this one, Joe.
What exactly did you think would happen when you went on tv and announced that we would completely back Israel no matter what they did?
You expected restraint from an apartheid government in a blood rage?
Don't play dumb.
US military advisors also have been directly helping the IDF plan the invasion into Gaza. He's definitely trying to play dumb, probably because there's actual backlash to this stuff that's reaching the mainstream. Like, when you get Wolf Blitzer of all people stunned speechless on live TV at the IDF justification for striking a refugee camp, you know it's out of hand over there.
Wait what happened with Wolf Blitzer?
An IDF admitted to him that they purposely bombed the Jabalia refugee camp
The next day, they bombed it again
The day after, they bombed it a third time
He was interviewing an IDF Lt Col about the initial bombing of the refugee camp. He was pushing about if the IDF didn't care about the civilian casualties and looked rather taken aback after several attempts to push for a straight answer the only one he got was that "This is the tragedy of war."
So god damned stupid/malicious. Both him and the majority of Europe it seems said something to the like off: Israel are allowed to defend themselves. Defend themselves on Palestinian land. With weapons sold by us. And now we "encourage" restraint, like Israel has ever done that when it comes to civilians. They are more than happy to bomb the women and children being used as shields by Hamad.
I'm not surprised by the US response. They did basically the exact same thing with Iraq/Afghanistan after 9/11.
went on tv and announced that we would completely back Israel no matter what they did?
That never happened. In fact, a few days after the attack by Hamas, Biden warned Israel to follow the rules of war.
(postscript : I don't think Biden wanted to see the tit-for-tat atrocities from Israel, I think he has recoiled and is trying to put a lid on it now. But the speech was a major and foreseeable fuckup on the practical and moral levels)
So here's the bit talking about restraint:
We also discussed how democracies like Israel and the United States are stronger and more secure when we act according to the rule of law.
Terrorists purpo- — purposefully target civilians, kill them. We uphold the laws of war — the law of war. It matters. There’s a difference.
The rest is a lot like this
So, in this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel. And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack.
And let there be no doubt: The United States has Israel’s back.
We’re — we’re with Israel. Let’s make no mistake.
Interpretations can differ, but on balance I can easily understand why Bibi (correctly) interpreted that as a blank check. Yeah maybe we'd tut-tut and furrow our brow, but the guns and bombs are gonna flow regardless.
First of all, Biden hasn't sent any weapons to Israel since October 7. And he's not planning to send "guns and bombs", he is asking Congress for anti-missile systems accompanied by humanitarian aid for Gaza. Which I think is appropriate.
Second, I don't think Bibi interpreted that as a blank check. I think Bibi is an idiot who doesn't care what Biden thinks. In a follow-up speech on 10/19, Biden had much more to say:
President Netanyahu and I discussed again, yesterday, the critical need for Israel to operate by the laws of war. That means protecting civilians in combat as best as they can. The people of Gaza urgently need food, water and medicine. ...
As I said in Israel, as hard as it is, we cannot give up on peace. We cannot give up on a two-state solution. Israel and Palestinians equally deserve to live in safety, dignity and peace. ...
When I was in Israel yesterday, I said that when America experienced the hell of 9/11, we felt enraged as well, and while we sought and got justice, we made mistakes. So I caution the government of Israel not to be blinded by rage.
However, Israel is a sovereign country and unfortunately isn't taking orders from the US. The US is trying its usual approach of attempting to bribe a foreign government into better behavior, but success is hardly guaranteed.
How dare you come in here with your facts! /s
(Thanks)
First of all, Biden hasn’t sent any weapons to Israel since October 7.
They've definitely sent ammunition.
What are the rules of war against a prison camp? We could perhaps consult the Federal Bureau of Prisons manual, but I did not find the word "war" in it. Unfortunately, I don't read Hebrew, so I came up blank there too.
Not sure what you're referring to, but rules of war do not prohibit prison camps.
No, they're (correctly) saying that Gaza itself is a prison camp.
Maybe it is, but that's that doesn't violate rules of war.
The sad fact is that the rules of war permit a lot of awful things, because war is intrinsically awful.
No no they're being sarcastic. They're asking what the rules of war say about going to war with a prison camp.
Fair enough! Thanks for explaining!
And did he make good on that warning?
Well, there has certainly been a change in tone from the US, with new calls for a pause in fighting. And this is likely to affect the shape of the current aid package.
But Israel is ultimately a sovereign country. Biden doesn't support Israel unconditionally as some have accused, but he also can't force Israel to do what he wants.
Your head is so far up your ass. It’s obvious you are not commenting in good faith.
And this is likely to affect the shape of the current aid package.
So what exactly will it include if not weapons?
Biden doesn’t support Israel unconditionally as some have accused, but he also can’t force Israel to do what he wants.
He actually can. Reagan did it in the 80s.