Washington (agencies)
John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator at the White House, warned yesterday that Israel will face consequences if it does not change the way it carries out its war on the Gaza Strip, pointing out that “the United States will change its policy towards Israel if it does not change its method in this war.”
Kirby said: “If there are no changes in Israel’s policy, there must be changes in America’s policy. There must be tangible and real steps,” adding: “We hope to see an announcement about these changes in the coming hours and days.”
Kirby added, “Biden told Netanyahu that an immediate ceasefire is necessary to improve the humanitarian situation and protect civilians,” noting that Biden “felt that the time had come to talk to Netanyahu about his concerns.”
Kirby noted, “Washington hopes to see a significant increase in aid reaching Gaza, and a decline in violence against aid workers and civilians. We look forward to concrete steps to alleviate the suffering.”
In turn, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said yesterday, “If we do not see the changes we need to see from Israel, there will be changes in American policy.”
Blinken added, during a press conference in Brussels, on the sidelines of a NATO meeting, that “this week’s horrific attack on the employees of the World Cuisine Organization was not the first incident and must be the last.”
Blinken stated, “Despite the steps taken by Israel to allow aid into Gaza, the results on the ground are insufficient and completely unacceptable.” US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller also said that the US government remains committed to a negotiated solution for an independent Palestinian state. The Palestinian Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations announced on Tuesday that it had once again requested to become a full member of the United Nations, after a failed attempt in 2011.
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