White House spokesperson John Kirby slammed for saying that Israel is doing a better job at protecting civilians than ‘our own military’
- Kirby was challenged by a reporter on Tuesday about the Israeli military’s response to the October 7 Hamas terror attack.
- Kirby said he has seen the IDF “take actions – sometimes actions that I’m not even sure our own military would take” to protect civilians.
- This caused outrage, with one writer suggesting that the Pentagon would object to the comparison involving US troops
White House spokesman John Kirby drew criticism after claiming that the Israeli military is better protecting civilians in Gaza than their American counterparts.
Kirby was challenged by a reporter on Tuesday about the Israeli military’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.
The IDF has responded with a military operation that has killed more than 28,000 Palestinians and displaced 2.3 million people, according to officials in Gaza.
Kirby said he has seen the IDF “take actions – sometimes actions that I’m not even sure our own military would take – in terms of informing the civilian population prior to operations, where they should or should not go.” They have taken steps.’
This angered many on social media, especially on the left, where The Nation writer Jeet Heer argued: “If I were in the Pentagon, I would be very angry if an administration spokesperson said that the US military is less takes citizens into account. life than the IDF.”
White House spokesman John Kirby drew criticism after claiming that the Israeli military is protecting civilians in Gaza better than their American counterparts would.
Kirby was challenged by a reporter on Tuesday about the Israeli military’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis.
Kirby himself is a retired Navy admiral.
The Intercept’s Ryan Grim added, citing recent Israeli military operations: “This guy has lost it.”
“This is the American government that is literally willing to tarnish and sacrifice the image of its own military – undoubtedly the country’s most sacred institution – so that Israel can continue its carnage. Absolutely unreal,” says entrepreneur Arnaud Bertrand.
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Kirby did admit that the number of casualties and displacement was still too high for Washington’s liking.
“It is clear that these steps, while notable, have not been sufficient to reduce civilian casualties. That is why the president spoke so candidly about it yesterday and why we will continue to do everything we can to put pressure on the Israelis. to be more careful, he said.
However, The Hill reporter Niall Stanage responded dissatisfied: “But with respect, (Biden) has been talking about it strongly for a long time. And the Israelis have now hammered people into this little corner of southwestern Gaza, tied up against the Egyptian border, where people think there is an impending catastrophe (inaudible). Shouldn’t there be more forceful action than just words?’
Kirby noted that “we are working very, very closely with our Israeli counterparts,” adding that they would not support a military operation in Rafah that does not take refugees into account.
Kirby said he has seen the IDF “take actions – sometimes actions that I’m not even sure our own military would take – in terms of informing the civilian population prior to operations, where they should or should not go.” They have taken steps
President Biden welcomed Jordan’s King Abdullah II to the White House on Monday for talks on how to end the months-long war and plan for what comes next.
The meeting with Abdullah comes as Biden and his aides work to strike a new pause in Israel’s war against Hamas to send humanitarian aid and supplies to the region and extract hostages.
The White House is facing mounting criticism from Arab Americans over the administration’s continued support for Israel, in light of the rising number of casualties in Gaza since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7.
“The key elements of the deal are on the table,” Biden said next to the king, although “there are still gaps.”
He said the US would do “everything possible” to broker an agreement: a pause in fighting for at least six weeks and the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas.