Biden supports Israel’s right to self defence

BIDEN WELCOMED efforts to address intercommunal violence and to bring calm to Jerusalem, the White House said in a readout of the call.

Washington, May 18: US President Joe Biden, in a telephonic call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, supported Israel’s “right to defend itself ” against indiscriminate rocket attacks and encouraged him to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians, the White House has said. Biden welcomed efforts to address inter-communal violence and to bring calm to Jerusalem, the White House said in a readout of the call.

During the phone call on Monday, Biden reiterated his firm support for Israel’s “right to defend itself ” against indiscriminate rocket attacks, it said. He encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians, it said.

The two leaders discussed progress in Israel’s military operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza, the White House said. “The President expressed his support for a ceasefire and discussed the US engagement with Egypt and other partners towards that end,” said the readout.

Palestinian militant group Hamas has fired more than 3,000 rockets over Israel during the past seven days, pushing more than half of Israel’s population into shelter houses and Israel has carried out hundreds of devastating retaliatory attacks in Gaza. More than 200 people have been killed in the recent escalation in the region, including a caregiver from India.

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken, who is travelling right now, also spoke to his Israeli counterpart, Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and discussed America’s efforts to bring an end to the violence, which has claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children, said State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.

“Blinken also expressed deep concern at the intercommunal violence,” Price said.