During a recent press briefing, White House spokesperson John Kirby sparked controversy by suggesting that the Israeli military’s approach to protecting civilians in Gaza was more effective than what their American counterparts would undertake.
This statement came in response to a query about the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) response to a Hamas terror attack on October 7, which claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis.
In contrast, the IDF’s military operation in retaliation reportedly led to the deaths of over 28,000 Palestinians and the displacement of 2.3 million, according to Gaza officials.
Backlash and Criticism
Kirby’s assertion that he had witnessed the IDF take actions that even he doubted the U.S. military would take, such as informing civilian populations about upcoming operations, sparked outrage on social media, especially from the left.
Writer Jeet Heer from The Nation criticized Kirby’s comments, suggesting that they implied the U.S. military was less concerned about civilian life than the IDF.
Kirby, a retired Navy Rear Admiral, also faced criticism from Ryan Grim of The Intercept, who accused him of losing perspective.
Social Media Response
The backlash continued with entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand condemning the U.S. government for tarnishing the image of its military to support Israel’s actions.
A user on social media joked about the impact on military recruitment, highlighting the gravity of Kirby’s comments.
Kirby did acknowledge that the casualties and displacement in Gaza were too high, stating that despite the IDF’s efforts, civilian casualties remained a concern.
He emphasized President Biden’s commitment to pressuring Israel to be more careful in its military operations.
Challenges and Questions
However, reporter Niall Stanage from The Hill challenged Kirby, questioning the effectiveness of Biden’s words in influencing Israeli actions, particularly in light of the dire situation in southwest Gaza.
Kirby responded by affirming the close collaboration between the U.S. and Israeli governments, noting that they would not support any military operation in Rafah that did not consider the plight of refugees.
Diplomatic Efforts and Future Plans
Meanwhile, President Biden met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II to discuss efforts to end the ongoing conflict and plan for the post-war period.
The meeting comes as the Biden administration faces criticism from Arab Americans for its support of Israel despite the escalating casualties in Gaza since the October 7 attack.
Biden expressed optimism about reaching an agreement, which would include a six-week pause in fighting and the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and supplies into Gaza.
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