Former United States President Barack Obama published a lengthy statement on his official website in which he recognizes Israel’s right to “defend its citizens” against Hamas attacks, but calls for “to the extent possible to prevent death or to avoid human suffering.” civilian population”.
“Israel has the right to defend its citizens against such wanton violence, and I fully support President Biden’s call for the United States to support our longtime ally in pursuing Hamas, dismantling its military capabilities and facilitating the safe return of hundreds of hostages to Israel.” But even as we support Israel, we must also make it clear that the way Israel fights this battle against Hamas is important.”the former White House leader emphasized.
“It is important – as President Biden has repeatedly emphasized – that Israel’s military strategy respects international law, including laws that seek to prevent, as much as possible, the death or suffering of the civilian population. Upholding these values is important in itself alone – because it is morally just and reflects our belief in the inherent value of every human life. Upholding these values is also vital for building alliances and shaping international opinion – all of which are crucial to Israel’s long-term security.”he added.
Obama says he knows it is “an extremely difficult task” and that “war is always tragic and even the most carefully planned military operations often endanger civilians.” “The United States itself has sometimes failed to live up to our highest values when engaged in war.”he emphasized.
The former US president says he is aware that Hamas leaders appear to be “deliberately hiding among civilians, endangering the very people they claim to represent,” but calls for an Israeli military strategy to not to ignore the human costs so that it does not have an adverse effect. .
“Thousands of Palestinians have already been killed in the bombing of Gaza, including many children. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes. The Israeli government’s decision to cut off food, water and electricity to a captive civilian population will not only worsen a growing humanitarian crisis; it could further harden Palestinian attitudes for generations, undermine global support for Israel, play into the hands of Israel’s enemies and undermine long-term efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.”wrote Obama.
The former US president says it is important that those who support Israel “encourage a strategy that can eliminate Hamas while minimizing civilian casualties” and emphasizes that the arrival of humanitarian aid to Gaza “is an encouraging step.” .
Obama admits that the prospects for peace seem “further away than ever,” but calls on Palestinian leaders and organizations that recognize Israel’s right to exist to “lay out a viable path for Palestinians to realize their legitimate aspirations for self-determination.”
Obama also calls for opposition to anti-Semitism in all its forms and rejection of anti-Muslim, anti-Arab or anti-Palestinian sentiments. This “means grouping all Palestinians with Hamas or other terrorist groups.”
Source: DN
