President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday amid airstrikes between Israel and Palestine.
The two discussed the conflict and reiterated “Israel’s right to defend itself against rocket attacks from Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza,” according to an afternoon statement from the White House.
Biden “raised concerns about the safety and security of journalists and reinforced the need to ensure their protection” following the destruction of a building that housed international media outlets. The Israel Defense Forces warned the occupants of the building to evacuate in advance and later stated that Hamas had been using the building.
BIDEN SPOKE TO NETANYAHU ABOUT VIOLENCE, HOPES FOR A CONCLUSION ‘SOONER THAN LATER’
“The President shared his grave concern about the intercommunal violence across Israel,” the statement read. “He welcomed the statements by the Prime Minister and other leaders opposing such hateful acts and encouraged continued steps to hold violent extremists accountable and to establish calm.”
Biden also spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to “convey the U.S. commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Palestinian partnership.” He also “stressed the need for Hamas to cease firing rockets into Israel,” the White House statement added.
“They expressed their shared concern that innocent civilians, including children, have tragically lost their lives amidst the ongoing violence,” it read. “The President expressed his support for steps to enable the Palestinian people to enjoy the dignity, security, freedom, and economic opportunity that they deserve.”
The sentiments about the Netanyahu call echoed those made by the White House regarding Biden’s Wednesday call with the prime minister, in which the president “conveyed his unwavering support for Israel’s security and for Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself and its people, while protecting civilians.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The spate of violence began following clashes between protesters and police and the threatened evictions of Palestinian families in Israel. Hamas fired rockets into Israel, to which Israel responded with an air assault.
“I said we would extract a very heavy price from Hamas,” Netanyahu said. “We are doing that, and we will continue to do that with heavy force.”
