The former president argued that it was vital to acknowledge a number of seemingly contradictory truths: Hamas’ actions had been “horrific,” however “the occupation and what’s happening to Palestinians” had been additionally “unbearable.”
Obama previously spoke out on the conflict, saying in a statement that any actions by Israel that ignore the human value of the struggle towards Hamas “could ultimately backfire.”
In an handle to the Democracy Forum in Chicago on Friday, the forty fourth president mentioned that “it is impossible to be dispassionate in the face of this carnage. It is hard to feel hopeful. The images of families mourning, of bodies being pulled from rubble, force a moral reckoning on all of us.”
“All this is taking place against the backdrop of decades of failure to achieve a durable peace for both Israelis and Palestinians, one that is based on genuine security for Israel, a recognition of its right to exist, and a peace that is based on an end of the occupation and the creation of a viable state and self-determination for the Palestinian people,” he added.
As president, Obama had a famously frosty relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, together with over the character of a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
President Joe Biden has strongly supported Israel in its struggle towards Hamas, offering important army help. However, the administration not too long ago referred to as for humanitarian pauses and warned towards inflicting outsized hurt on Palestinian civilians.
Former President Donald Trump, whose administration carefully aligned with Israel, initially criticized Netanyahu within the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault, saying he was “not prepared” and praising Hezbollah, a regional militant group, as “very smart.” Trump walked again the feedback shortly after.
Former President George W. Bush described himself in a recent video as a “hardliner” and mentioned: “My view is: One side is guilty. And it’s not Israel.” Bush warned that the preventing could be “ugly” however defended Israel’s proper to retaliate towards Hamas.
Former President Bill Clinton posted on social media after Hamas’ preliminary assault and condemned the Palestinian militant group, however he has mentioned little since. In the publish, Clinton wrote that, “Now is a time for the world to rally against terrorism and to support Israeli democracy. I stand with the government of Israel and all Israelis, and urge them to stand together.”
South Carolina senator and Republican presidential contender Tim Scott pushed again on Obama’s feedback in an announcement to POLITICO Saturday.
“From Obama to Biden, Democrats have a problem: supporting Israel always has an asterisk,” Scott mentioned.
“Obama is dead wrong and he has a legacy of aiding those who support terrorism,” he continued. “The truth is simple: Hamas is evil.”
The full Obama interview might be launched subsequent week, in keeping with Crooked Media, an organization based and staffed by former members of the Obama administration.
