Obama Continues to Antagonize Israel: Demands An Immediate, Unconditional Ceasefire In Gaza

4
>>Follow Matzav On Whatsapp!<<

obama-netanyahuPresident Barack Obama spoke to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu on the phone today, demanding an immediate and unconditional humanitarian ceasefire that would later lead to a permanent end to hostilities in Gaza based on the 2012 ceasefire agreement reached at the end of Operation Pillar of Defense.

The conversation between the two came at the end of a tense day for Israeli-American diplomatic relations.

Israeli officials slammed Secretary of State John Kerry after a document allegedly presenting his ceasefire proposal was published by Haaretz. The document, that was is supposed to serve as the basis of ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel, reportedly made scarce reference to Israel’s security needs.

The newspaper claimed that the draft banned Israel from destroying the terror tunnels that entered Israeli territory from Gaza during a proposed seven-day humanitarian ceasefire. Haaretz also said that Hamas’ demands were all met in the draft, including opening of border crossings, passage of goods, and payment of civil servant salaries. However, there is no mention, Haaretz said, of Israel’s central demand for the Gaza Strip to be demilitarized and the terror tunnels destroyed.

A senior American official claimed the reports on the content of the document were “inaccurate” and even “insulting” towards the United States.

“A part of these reports included personal attacks against Secretary of State Kerry, including accusations he betrayed the alliance with Israel,” the official said.

In his call with Netanyahu on Sunday night, Obama reaffirmed American support of the Egyptian ceasefire initiative. The US president once again condemned Hamas’ rocket fire, and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself, while at the same time expressing Washington’s growing concern of the rising number of Palestinian and Israeli casualties and the worsening humanitarian condition in Gaza.

“The President underscored the enduring importance of ensuring Israel’s security, protecting civilians, alleviating Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, and enacting a sustainable ceasefire that both allows Palestinians in Gaza to lead normal lives and addresses Gaza’s long-term development and economic needs, while strengthening the Palestinian Authority,” a White House statement said.

“The President stressed the US view that, ultimately, any lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must ensure the disarmament of terrorist groups and the demilitarization of Gaza,” it went on to say.

Read a full report at Yediot Achronot.

{Matzav.com Israel}


4 COMMENTS

  1. No one should say Israel has a roght to defend itself. That goes without saying. It is pathetic to hinge upon that condescendant permission.
    Furthermore, it is always follpwed by a qualifier asking for restraint – as if WE are unrestrained.

  2. “The President stressed the US view that, ultimately, any lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must ensure the disarmament of terrorist groups and the demilitarization of Gaza”

    This is in fact a total endorsement of Israel’s position. It is so hostile to Hamas that a Hamas official publicly threatened Obama’s life in a Facebook post.

Leave a Reply to mendel Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here