President Joe Biden claims that he is working with Palestinians and Israelis towards a "sustained calm" as conflict between the two continues to escalate.
The POTUS made his reassurances that pacifying the situation in Gaza was a priority for his administration in a statement posted to the official website of the White House on Friday, May 14, in a video celebrating Eid.
Take a look at President Biden's address in the video below:In it, Biden stated: "We were heartened to see Eid celebrations around the world, but we know that this year, the situation in the Holy Land is weighing heavily on Muslims everywhere, including our Muslim communities here in the United States.
"Palestinians - including in Gaza - and Israelis equally deserve to live in dignity, safety, and security. No family should have to fear for their safety within their own home or place of worship."
In a special video address to Muslim worshippers celebrating the holy festival, the POTUS - alongside First Lady Jill Biden - also briefly touched upon the escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine in recent days and reiterated his prior statement.
Speaking on the importance of promoting freedom of worship among the Muslim community at home and abroad, Biden stated:
"Palestinians and Israelis also deserve to live in safety and security and enjoy an equal measure of freedom, prosperity, and democracy.
"And my administration is going to continue to engage Palestinians and Israelis [...] to work towards sustained calm."
In a press conference held at the White House on Wednesday, May 12, Biden claimed that he'd spoken with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier that day, and had called for an end to the hostilities.
Biden stated: "My expectation and hope is this will be closing down sooner than later. Israel has a right to defend itself when you have thousands of rockets flying into their territory.
"But I had a conversation with the Prime Minister of Israel, and my hope is that I will see this coming to conclusion soon."
The incumbent president's comments were roundly criticized by his predecessor Donald Trump, who wrote in a statement on his website: "Under Biden, the world is getting more violent and more unstable because Biden’s weakness and lack of support for Israel is leading to new attacks on our allies.
"America must always stand with Israel and make clear that the Palestinians must end the violence, terror, and rocket attacks, and make clear that the US will always strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself."
Meanwhile, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also criticized Biden's statement and endorsed a pro-Palestine stance.
In a statement addressed to her 12.7 million followers on Twitter, Ocasio-Cortez wrote: "Blanket statements like these w/ little context or acknowledgment of what precipitated this cycle of violence.
"Namely, the expulsions of Palestinians and attacks on Al Aqsa - dehumanize Palestinians & imply the US will look the other way at human rights violations. It’s wrong. [sic]"
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