Biden: It would ‘be a big mistake’ to reoccupy Gaza
President Joe Biden gives remarks on the conflict between Israel and Palestine at the White House, Oct. 7, 2023. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
This article originally appeared on Haaretz, and was reprinted here with permission. Sign up here to get Haaretz’s free Daily Brief newsletter delivered to your inbox.
President Joe Biden said he believes it would be a big mistake for Israel to re-occupy Gaza, in his first interview since the Hamas attack on Israel and as Israel’s ground invasion looms.
Speaking to CBS’ 60 Minutes – America’s most-watched news program – Biden reiterated that the U.S. will do everything in its power to free hostages held captive in Gaza, saying “we’re working like hell on it.”
“They have to know that the President of the United States of America cares deeply about what’s happening – deeply – we have to communicate to the world this is critical. It’s not even human behavior. It’s pure barbarism. And we’re going to do everything in our power to get them home if we can find them,” he added.
When asked if the hostage recovery is his top priority, Biden said “of course it is, but it’s hard to make distinctions. The most important thing is ending this brutality.”
Biden said he doesn’t believe U.S. troops in a combat role will be necessary, noting “Israel has one of the finest fighting forces in the country. I guarantee we’re going to provide them everything they need.”
He noted the fear of domestic attacks stemming from the Hamas attack, saying he met with his national security team for nearly an hour “to discuss how we make sure that we prevent a lone wolf and or any coordinated effort to try to do what was done in synagogues before, and what was done to Jews in the street. We’re making a major effort to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
When asked about the rapidly rising death tolls in Gaza following Israel’s military response, Biden stressed “there’s a fundamental difference. Israel is going after a group of people engaging in barbarism that is as consequential as the Holocaust. Israel has to respond.”
“Hamas is a bunch of cowards. They’re hiding behind civilians, they put their all their headquarters where civilians are and buildings and the like, But to the extent that they can separate out and avoid conflict, the Israelis are going to do everything in their power to avoid the killing of innocent civilians,” he continued.
Biden, however, noted U.S. officials are engaged with Israel and Egypt about establishing a safe zone or “an outlet to get these children and women out. But it’s hard.”
“I’m confident that Israel is going to act under the rules of war. There are standards that democratic institutions and countries go by. I’m confident that there’s going to be an ability for the innocents in Gaza to be able to have access to medicine, food, water,” he said.
Biden further affirmed that Hamas needs to be eliminated, but “there needs to be a Palestinian Authority. There needs to be a path to a Palestinian state,” adding that “Israel understands that a significant portion of Palestinian people cannot share the views of Hamas and Hezbollah.”
He stressed there is no clear evidence of Iran’s direct foreknowledge or planning role in the attack, while acknowledging the well-established role between Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.
Biden further linked Israel’s war with Ukraine, stating “overwhelmingly they relate,” stressing the U.S. can support both countries at the same time. “We’re the United States of America, for God’s sake. We’re the most powerful nation in the history of the world. We can take care of both of these and still maintain our overall international defense.”
“I want my children and grandchildren to fully understand exactly what happened and why you couldn’t deny the carnage that was going on if you were living in Germany and in Europe,” he continued.
“The Jews have been subjected to abuse, prejudice and attempts to wipe them out for over 1000 years,” Biden said. “For me, it’s about decency, respect, honor. It’s simply wrong, wrong wrong wrong. It violates every religious principle I have, in every way, every single principle my father taught me.”
60 Minutes also highlighted the story of Haaretz diplomatic correspondent Amir Tibon, who hid with his wife and two young daughters for 10 hours until his father (a retired Israeli military general) rescued them. Tibon’s story was highlighted by both U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in recent days.
In unaired footage posted online, Biden denied that efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia were dead following the attack.
“The Saudis, and the Emiratis and other Arab nations understand that their security and stability is enhanced if there’s normalization of relations with Israel,” Biden said.
“It’s just going to take time to get done, he said, “but the direction, moving into the normalization makes sense for the Arab nations as well as Israel.”
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