Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. stands squarely by Israel and will ensure it “has what it needs to defend itself” after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war against Palestinian militants that launched a surprise attack on his country.
Austin said in a statement he was “closely monitoring developments in Israel” and extended his condolences to families of the victims who lost their lives in the Saturday attack.
“Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering,” Austin said. “Over the coming days the Department of Defense will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.”
The U.S. is one of Israel’s staunchest allies and has provided around $3.8 billion a year to the country.
Netanyahu declared war on Saturday against Palestinian militant groups after Hamas launched a surprise, multi-frontal attack inside Israel.
Militants launched more than 2,000 missiles and stormed Israel from multiple directions after infiltrating the border.
Why are the displaced and oppressed minority always described as militants? Fuck Israel.
They killed civilians and dragged a dead womans naked body around for their military parade.
They are not militants they are subhuman scum.
They’re not subhuman. Don’t do that.
There’s no good guys and plenty of bad guys, but they’re all still people.
Both sides are all just humans being the worst we have to offer as a species.
Egged on by ridiculous stories about men in the sky, they fight for no reason when we could all just treat each other as human.
they fight for no reason when we could all just treat each other as human.
Okay “they fight for no reason” ignores a lot. The blockade of Gaza is genuinely one of the most horrific actions of the 21st century, and let’s not mention the ethnic cleansing.
Apartheid sucks for everyone
God dammit pentagon, shut the fuck up
Israel made their bed, they should lie in it
Aint Bibi a criminal? You’re gonna finance the war hes gonna use to dissolve more of the protections that should have kept him out of office?
Unfortunately, skilled politicians never let a good crisis go to waste.
Good. The innocent civilians of Israel must be protected against the terrorists.
I wonder how the American people would respond to this if it were put to a vote.
Something tells me we wouldn’t get 50% of the nation to agree to funding Israel.
After seeing videos recorded by militants themselves, it is really hard to support Palestine. It looks like likely Gaza strip (controlled by Hamas) might be no more after this and there might be little international opposition.
I think Hamas fucked Palestinians hard with this move.
I normally don’t support Israel, but there’s no way I support this.
I’m not saying support Palestine.
I’m saying remove funding for Israel, one of the wealthiest nations in the world.
If they need more money, they can take it from their ruling class instead of our taxpayers.
Isn’t that a bit patronizing? I would guess Israel is well equipped to deal with the situation on it’s own.
But maybe it’s more about US internal politics or media?
Are you serious? An ally declared war, you expected what? A get well card?
Ally or dependant?
Good point, maybe that’s all there is to it, and I’m reading too much into it. I stumbled over sentences like this one:
“Over the coming days the Department of Defense will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians […]”
That seems to imply Israel currently, without benevolent help, does not have what it needs, and cannot protect it’s own civilians. The wording can be seen as a way to stylize Israel as a dependent weakling. Also note they talk about a proactive, unilateral action. US takes steps to ensure that Israel can defend itself. That’s quite different from coming to help, or offering assistance.
There are other ways to react and phrase things. They could firmly reassure their ally of their unconditional support by offering it, whenever Israel wants to request it. Maybe even prepare steps but emphasize it’s Israel’s call. While expressing confidence Israel is well equipped to deal with the situation.
But maybe the servant role does not sell so well to the domestic audience. Again, I don’t know. I just found this odd.
I think I read somewhere that Israel is the largest cumulative recipient of US foreign aid since WWII…so there’s that
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