By AAMER MADHANI, SEUNG MIN KIM and COLLEEN LONG (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday spoke out towards retaliatory assaults by Israeli settlers towards Palestinians within the West Bank within the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas assaults on Israel. He additionally mentioned he was redoubling his dedication to engaged on a two-state resolution to finish the decades-long Israel-Palestinian battle.
Biden mentioned the assaults by “extremist settlers” amounted to “pouring gasoline” on the already burning fires within the Middle East for the reason that Hamas assault.
“It has to stop. They have to be held accountable. It has to stop now,” Biden mentioned in the beginning of a information convention with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was being honored with a state go to to Washington.
Settler violence towards Palestinians has intensified for the reason that Hamas assault, and Palestinians have been killed by settlers, in line with Palestinian authorities. Rights teams say settlers have torched vehicles and attacked a number of small Bedouin communities, forcing them to evacuate to different areas.
The West Bank Protection Consortium, a coalition of nongovernmental organizations and donor international locations, together with the European Union, says a whole bunch of Palestinians have been forcibly displaced within the West Bank resulting from settler violence since Oct. 7. That’s along with over 1,100 displaced since 2022.
Deadly violence has been surging within the West Bank because the Israeli navy pursues Palestinian terrorists within the aftermath of the Hamas assault from Gaza.
The violence threatens to open one other entrance within the 2-week-old struggle, and places stress on the internationally acknowledged Palestinian Authority, which administers elements of the West Bank and is deeply unpopular amongst Palestinians, largely as a result of it cooperates with Israel on safety issues.
Biden once more condemned the brutality of the Hamas assault that killed 1,400 Israelis and mentioned that he was satisfied that Hamas was pushed partially by a want undo U.S.-led efforts to normalize Israeli relations with a few of its Arab neighbors, together with Saudi Arabia.
The president additionally mentioned that after the Israel-Hamas battle involves an finish, Israeli, Palestinians and their companions should work towards a two-state resolution.
“Israelis and Palestinians equally deserve to live side by side in safety, dignity and peace,” Biden mentioned, including, “When this crisis is over, there has to be a vision of what comes next. And in our view, it has to be a two-state solution.”
The Hamas-run Health Ministry says greater than 6,500 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in retaliatory strikes. Biden mentioned he had doubts concerning the accuracy of the Hamas demise rely, however burdened that it was important for Israel to maneuver fastidiously in its response to attenuate civilian deaths.
“I’m sure innocents have been killed, and it’s the price of waging a war,” Biden mentioned. “Israel should be incredibly careful to be sure that they’re focusing on going after the folks that are propagating this war,” Biden mentioned.
Biden additionally that he has circuitously sought assurances from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel will maintain off on an anticipated floor invasion into Gaza earlier than hostages will be launched.
“What I have indicated to him is that if that’s possible, to get these folks out safely, that’s what he should do. It’s their decision,” Biden mentioned at information convention on the White House. “But I did not demand it. I pointed out to him, if it’s real, it should be done.” About 10 Americans stay unaccounted for amid the Israel-Hamas struggle, in line with the White House.
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Associated Press author Josh Boak contributed to this report.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”