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WH Blames Hamas for Violence
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ShareDecember 29, 2008 4:52 PM
ABC News' Kirit Radia Reports from Crawford, Texas: In the White House's first press briefing since Israel began bombing Gaza over the weekend, spokesman Gordon Johndroe towed the same line we've heard from the administration in recent days, blaming Hamas for the outbreak of violence but at no time calling on Israel to stop its retaliation.
"Hamas has once again shown its true colors as a terrorist organization that refuses to even recognize Israel's right to exist. In order for the violence to stop, Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel and agree to respect a sustainable and durable cease-fire. That is the objective to which all parties need to be working. And that is what the United States is working toward. We also remain concerned about the humanitarian situation for the people of Gaza. We ask that all parties involved to allow food and medical supplies to reach the people there. And we appreciate the efforts of a variety of countries in the region who are working to help the humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza," Johndroe said.
"We have urged the Israelis to avoid civilian casualties, but they are working on decreasing the number of Israeli citizens that are vulnerable," he added.
President Bush has yet to inject himself into the situation since this latest round of fighting began, leaving it up to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to speak with the parties (though, consistent with longstanding policy, the U.S. has not spoken with Hamas). Instead Bush has spoken with regional intermediaries. On Saturday, he spoke with Saudi King Abdullah and then this morning with Jordanian King Abdullah.
In those discussions, Johndroe said the president told the kings, "we want to see the violence stop, but in a way that leads to a durable and sustainable succession of violence. We can't have the violence stop now only for it to start up again."
Rice, meanwhile, has spoken to several regional and world leaders about the fighting, including Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Noticeably absent from her list of calls, however, is Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
Rice has taken the time to brief the incoming administration on the situation. Since fighting broke out she has spoken with President-elect Barack Obama and his pick for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Johndroe said he did not expect Bush to speak publicly about the situation. "At this point, we don't have any plans for the president to -- to make a statement on this. We will continue to monitor the situation. I mean, he's staying in touch with the national security adviser, as well as the secretary of state, and we'll see," Johndroe said, adding: "Secretary Rice has been the primary interlocutor."
The president has received intelligence and situational updates and this morning discussed the matter via secure video conference with Vice President Dick Cheney, Chief of Staff Josh Bolten, and National Security Adviser Steve Hadley.
"They updated him on overnight developments in the Middle East and discussed U.S. actions," Johndroe said.
Asked if the U.S. is urging Israel to avoid a ground operation in Gaza, he replied: "I can't speak to any potential ground operation. I think that any ground operation, according to the Israelis, would be part and parcel of the -- of the overall operation, given their statements saying that they don't want to retake Gaza, that they simply want to protect their people."
"I'm not going to speculate on a ground operation," he quickly added.
Asked if Israel's targets were justified, he replied: "The United States understands that Israel needs to take actions to defend itself."
Johndroe said the U.S. has not been involved in the planning or coordination of the Israeli offensive.
"The United States is not involved in this action in any -- in any specific way. The United States has provided millions of dollars of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, and so we are certainly encouraging countries in the region to continue their efforts to bring medical and food supplies to the people of Gaza," he said.
So what is the president doing today?
"After his phone call with Abdullah and his intelligence briefing, he went to his office to work on paperwork and a variety of things. And I expect he'll probably ride his bicycle today and spend time with Mrs. Bush. And I expect he'll also probably receive updates on the ongoing situation in the Middle East, as well," Johndroe said.
December 29, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (33)
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Of course. To Bush and co. Israel is always doing what is right. Who cares about the Palestinians.
Posted by: Joe | Dec 29, 2008 5:17:17 PM
I am an Independent who agrees with Bush on this point!
PEBO better watch his step on this one! It will soon be his to deal with, and there is no room for his equivocation! :(
Posted by: aware2u | Dec 29, 2008 6:09:04 PM
Of course they do, just like they blame Iraq on Saddam Hussein and his non-existant WMD's. Bush and company live in a fairytale world where they and Israel can do no wrong.
Posted by: JR | Dec 29, 2008 6:19:36 PM
After ensuring his place as the worst PRECEDENT in the history of the USA, many will know his failure from DAY 1 concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His hands off idiocy and his sycophantic Israeli hop-a-long waltz have done nothing but worsen the agonizing quarrel. Wait until the UNOCAL story gets airplay and their negotiation with the TALIBAN is aired. Wait until the UNOCAL directors like Condi Rice, James Baker, Henry "wanted in 5 countries" Kissinger, etal are outed for the failure to beat all failures is known worldwide. Film at Eleven...Back to you DOUG!!!!!
Posted by: daddyblue | Dec 29, 2008 6:39:52 PM
So .... Hamas fires at Israel and the world is silent - no protests, no worldwide outrage. Israel fires back and they are viewed as the bad guy. Bush is on the "fringe" for recognizing Israel's right to defend itself. Either half the world is off its rocker, or I'm misunderstanding the situation.
Posted by: Je suis moi | Dec 29, 2008 7:04:20 PM
We'll have to see if Obama is happy with toeing the standard presidential line and laying off the Israelis. Doing so will eliminate any of the worldwide political/good will capital he inherited by simply winning the election.
Posted by: matt | Dec 29, 2008 7:25:51 PM
There is no doubt that Hamas is responsible for the current conflict in Gaza. Israel left Gaza in 2005. Instead of developing a peaceful society and a productive economy, Hamas chose to turn Gaza into a rocket launching pad. Israel has finally responded after being hit by several thousand rockets launched by Hamas and its allies. May the innocents of Gaza be safe. May the terrorists of Hamas be destroyed.
Posted by: Graniteman | Dec 29, 2008 7:35:33 PM
The Israeli's should stop answering terrorist rocket attacks on their civilian population and cities with surgical attacks aimed at Hamas targets, and return rocket for rocket. Hamas targets civilian centers, Israel should do the same. Rockets are terror weapons, because no-one knows where they will come down, like the buzz-bombs and V2's Hitler rained down on London. The Palestinian people cheer when Hamas sends rockets to kill Israeli civilians, because they know Israel doesn't send rockets back, let's see if they still cheer when Israel sends rockets to kill THEIR families, they deserve no less. The whiners in the UN, etc. who never condemn Hamas, only Israel's attempts to protect themselves, are beneath contempt. Hamas is not freedom fighters or martyrs, just insatiable mad, murderous, cowardly dogs to be destroyed. Freedom fighters do not strap bombs on children, or murder men, women, children (including other Muslims) in stores and cafes.
Posted by: lightnin | Dec 29, 2008 8:14:21 PM
Je suis moi,
"Either half the world is off its rocker, or I'm misunderstanding the situation."
You're misunderstanding the situation. It is only half the 'blogger world' that is off its rocker. They haven't bothered to get the facts on both sides. Too busy believing that those that voted for Obama don't understand justice or know why we voted.
Nobody has the right to shoot rockets at your civilians and not expect a in-kind (or better) retaliation. I've never supported Israel and thought of them as a bunch of whiners. On this, however, I think Israel is justified. I don't buy the poor little unarmed Hamas people's argument either. If they can build and shoot rockets, they can build and grow their economy.
Posted by: Common Sense | Dec 29, 2008 9:17:11 PM
Obama has committed himself to immediately restarting peace efforts after he take office.
Please were is Barack Obama? What does he have to say on this new violence? Oh, I'm sorry he's on vacation.
Posted by: waggdogg | Dec 29, 2008 10:24:03 PM
Most leaders in the world have decried both, Israel's attack and Hamas's terror. However, president Bush and Condi have strongly standed with Israel as you read the article. Nontheless Bush did good jobs for Israel, I don't understand why American Jewish of around 70% voted for Democratic Obama who wanted to meet the dictator Iranian president unconditionally. Remember,
Barbra Streisand and Steven Spielberg had a lavish funderaising party, $31,500 per seat for Obama only. Is there anyone answer for my question ?
Posted by: Jung -NY | Dec 29, 2008 11:26:11 PM
100 years of fighting over the right to occupy a 25 miles by 7.5 miles piece of land. Bloodshed, death, carnage for the right to claim a swatch of earth. Mankind is ignorant and the ongoing middle east conflict is evidence of our bitter hatred towards one another.
Posted by: clarity | Dec 30, 2008 1:08:45 AM
Bush is the worst president in the history of the United States. He can never compensate us for what he has done to our country. He has disgraced us and destroyed our dignity and credibility around the world. The people of the world would like to try him for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Posted by: OnTheCase7 | Dec 30, 2008 4:12:18 AM
As long as the settlements and checkpoints in the West Bank exist and as long as Israel controls the water, food, and electricity into Gaza, peace is an illusion. It is hard to ask the Palestinians to accept their current state of depraved occupation.
Posted by: Ne Straub | Dec 30, 2008 11:21:43 AM
why do the Gaza Strip morons continue to lob bombs into Israel? If it were me, I would blow the whole friggin strip of land to smitherines. How can there ever be peace when Hamas won't even recognize Israel? The Palestinian civilians in Gaza are being complacent to allow the rocket attacks to continue. Don't blame Israel for protecting themselves. You don't see this in the West Bank with Fatah rule.
Posted by: Robbie C. | Dec 30, 2008 2:13:33 PM
waggdogg,
Obama is not yet President -- George Bush is the current President. It is not President elect Obama's time to make Presidential statements. Use your brain. BTW, George B. is on vacation as well, and not doing much else.
Posted by: John H. | Dec 30, 2008 2:21:49 PM
The Israelis and the Palestinians have not ever been able to have peace for long..Everyone wants the same land......All fighting should be discouraged and the Israli and Palestinians should go back to the peace treaties previously worked out. The Hamas do still consider themselves to be Palestinians don't they? Israelis should consider Hamas to be Palestinians
Posted by: AnnD52 | Dec 30, 2008 2:22:40 PM
Robbie C. - How do the Palestinians protect themselves from persecution. Do the Israelis bomb themselves to prevent themselves from committing human rights abuses.
Posted by: Megadeth | Dec 30, 2008 4:44:48 PM
Mark - Hamas is willing to work with the existence of Israel, but they take issue with being occupied. Just look at a map of the West Bank settlements to get a clue.
Posted by: Megadeth | Dec 30, 2008 4:46:45 PM
AMERICA HAS LOANED ISRAEL 1.3 TRILLION SINCE 1973.
WELL, WE NEED IT BACK, SO GIVE IT UP
NO MORE AID TO ISRAEL OR THE ARABS
KEEP AMERICA STRONG.
NO MORE FREE US TAXPAYER HANDOUTS TO FOREIGN GOVERMENTS WHO WOULD SUCK US INTO THEIR REGIONAL CONFLICTS...
AMERICA # 1
Posted by: CHUCK | Dec 30, 2008 5:52:29 PM
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