After heightening violence, President Joe Biden called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on May 12, offering “unwavering” support for Israel’s “legitimate right to defend itself.” He “condemned the rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,” and, evidently, did not mention the dozens of dead Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Afterwards, Netanyahu’s tweet cheered Biden’s “backing of Israel’s right to self-defense.” At that point, the bombing raids on residential areas of Gaza had killed 67, including 16 children. Israeli officials state that 7 have died, including one child.
Netanyahu is certainly also celebrating the fact that the outbreak of near-war has conveniently stopped national discussion of how to replace his government after his recent electoral defeat.
Also on in the evening of May 12, Secretary of State Tony Blinken called Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas to condemn the rocket attacks, while also expressing condolences for those killed. Blinken “emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions.” Abbas stressed that Palestine “will continue to exercise the right to self-defense, as well as the protection of shrines,” until “the overthrow of the occupation and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with its capital in Jerusalem.” In turn, Blinken, as reported by TASS and other news agencies, said that he is making efforts to achieve a ceasefire. However, Blinken made clear that he places more blame on Hamas, saying there is a “fundamental difference between a terrorist organization in Hamas that is indiscriminately targeting civilians, and Israel, which is defending itself.”
Former President Donald Trump also weighed in fully on Israel’s side: “Biden’s weakness and lack of support for Israel is leading to new attacks on our allies,” Trump stated. “America must always stand with Israel and make clear that the Palestinians must end the violence, terror, and rocket attacks, and make clear that the U.S. will always strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
