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Psaki raps 'violence on both communities' amid Israel aggression

Wednesday, 12 May 2021 1:12 AM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 12 May 2021 1:12 AM ]

Palestinian demonstrators run away from the gas fired by Israeli soldiers during an anti-Israel protest over tension in Jerusalem al-Quds, near the illegal settlement of Beit El near Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, on May 12, 2021. / AFP / ABBAS MOMANI

White House press secretary Jen Psaki has censured "violence on both communities," as the Israeli regime continues aggression against Palestinians.

In a briefing on Tuesday, Psaki played the card of Israel's "legitimate right to defend itself," laying bare Washington's double policy in regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, left intact in the administration of President Joe Biden.

“The president’s support for Israel’s security, for its legitimate right to defend itself and its people, is fundamental and will never waiver. We condemn ongoing rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem. We also stand against extremism that has inflicted violence on both communities,” she said at the press briefing.

US govt. spokesman dodges questions on Israeli aggression in Gaza, draws ire

The US State Department spokesman Ned Price was repeatedly grilled by a small group of reporters at the briefing on Monday on the “principle of self-defense”.

The White House press secretary added that the president has been briefed “daily” on the developments in Jerusalem al-Quds and Gaza Strip, which has seen a sharp spike since the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

“Since last week, he has directed his team to engage intensively with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials as well as leaders throughout the Middle East. His team is communicating a clear and consistent message of de-escalation, and that is our primary focus,” Psaki said.

At the core of the latest round of aggression is the planned forced expulsions of Palestinians by illegal Israeli settlers, looking to take over Palestinian lands.

US Congresswoman denounces Israeli 'terrorism' against Palestinians

US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in a tweet early Tuesday said the Palestinians “deserve protection” against the Israeli forces

“US officials have in recent weeks spoken candidly to Israeli officials about how evictions of Palestinian families who have lived for years, sometimes decades, in their homes and how demolitions of these homes work against our common interests and achieving a solution to the conflict,” Psaki said.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has repeatedly warned that Tel Aviv’s escalation of expansive policies are aimed at removing the true residents of the region in an attempt to replace them with Israeli settlers.

More than 600,000 Israelis live in over 230 illegal settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem al-Quds.

All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and the UN Security Council has condemned Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied territories in several resolutions.

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