US ASSURES ISRAEL OF SUPPORT

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The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, vowed on Thursday that the United States will always back Israel but said the Palestinians also had “legitimate aspirations” not represented by militant group Hamas.

“You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself. But as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to. We will always be there by your side,” Blinken said during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as war raged between Israel and Hamas.

“But as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to. We will always be there by your side.”

Paying a solidarity visit as Israel’s army hammered Hamas over weekend attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis, Blinken also provided a new death toll for US citizens, stating that at least 25 were verified deceased.

President Joe Biden has vowed unwavering support for Israel and not called for restraint against Hamas, but Blinken hinted at the need for an eventual peace settlement — an idea that has long met resistance from the right-wing Netanyahu.

“Anyone who wants peace and justice must condemn Hamas’ reign of terror. We know Hamas doesn’t represent the Palestinian people, or their legitimate aspirations to live with equal measures of security, freedom, justice opportunity, and dignity,” Blinken said.

Blinken spoke in extremely personal terms about his grandparents fleeing anti-Semitic pogroms in Russia and his stepfather surviving Nazi detention camps.

“I come before you not only as the United States secretary of state but also as a Jew,” said Blinken, who has a secular background.

“I also come before you as a husband and father of young children. It’s impossible for me to look at the photos of families killed, such as the mother, father and three small children murdered as they sheltered in their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, and not think of my own children,” he said.

Blinken promised that the Biden administration and Congress would work together to meet military requests for Israel, which enjoys wide support across party lines.

“As Israel’s defense needs evolve, we will work with Congress to make sure that they’re met,” he said.

Netanyahu, speaking next to Blinken, voiced appreciation for US support and said that Hamas, which rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, should be treated like the Islamic State group.

“Just as ISIS was crushed, so too will Hamas be crushed. And Hamas should be treated exactly the way ISIS was treated,” Netanyahu said.