Two Statements, One War

 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gave a brief press conference before boarding a flight from Maryland to Israel today. It featured the following exchange:

QUESTION: [I]n conversations between the U.S. and Israel, has the U.S. advocated any degree of restraint in terms of possible ground operations in Gaza, either for the sake of the civilians there or for the sake of hostages in there?

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, again, I’m not getting into any of the operational details of what Israel may or may not do. I think you heard the President speak to this yesterday in his very, very strong and forceful comments. And of course, what separates Israel and the United States and other democracies when it comes to incredibly difficult situations like this is our respect for international law – and as appropriate, the laws of war. We do everything we can to make sure that in these situations we avoid civilian casualties. That is in direct contrast with Hamas, which uses people as human shields. It actually seeks to put Palestinian civilians in situations where they could be harmed. This is very much part of their – part of the game plan.

Also today, Jenifer Austin, the Deputy Director for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza, released the following statement:

“I am very saddened to confirm that 11 UNRWA colleagues have been killed since 7 October in the Gaza Strip.

“They included five teachers at UNRWA schools, one gynecologist, one engineer, one psychological counselor and three support staff.

“Some were killed in their homes with their families.

“UNRWA mourns this loss and is grieving with our colleagues and the families.

“UN staff and civilians must be protected at all times during conflict.

“We call for the fighting to come to an end to spare more civilian lives lost”.

Canada has funded the UNRWA since the Liberal government restored that budget expense which was rescinded by the Harper Conservatives.

While Canadian politicians voice uncritical support for Israel, it murders United Nations employees who are paid by Canadian taxpayers.

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