Obama: Even after truce, status quo unsustainable
Source: ToI
Even if the Egyptian ceasefire were to take effect Tuesday, the current status quo in the region is “unsustainable,” US President Barack Obama told guests at an official White House Iftar dinner on Monday evening. Using strong language to condemn rocket attacks launched from the Gaza Strip against Israeli civilians, Obama described the pictures that are seen from both Gaza and Israel as “heart wrenching.”
“The situation in Gaza reminds us again that the status quo is unsustainable and that the only path to true security is a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, where differences are resolved peacefully and in ways that respect the dignity of all people,” Obama told attendees, who included elected officials, religious and grassroots leaders in the Muslim American community, leaders of diverse faiths, and members of the diplomatic corps.
“Our goal has been and continues to be peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians,” Obama said. “And I will say very clearly, no country can accept rocket fired indiscriminately at citizens. And so, we’ve been very clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against what I consider to be inexcusable attacks from Hamas.”
The president followed the statement by saying that “at the same time, on top of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza that we’ve worked long and hard to alleviate, the death and injury of Palestinian civilians is a tragedy, which is why we’ve emphasized the need to protect civilians, regardless of who they are or where they live.
Read more: http://www.timesofisrael.com/obama-even-after-truce-status-quo-unsustainable/
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