While not naming ‘Israel’ directly, the White House is obviously calling out Israel for the shelling of the school because the IDF says they responded to an attack on their soldiers who were being fired upon with mortar rounds from near the school.
How is Israel supposed to defend itself when Hamas is using civilians as human shields?
ASSOCIATED PRESS – The White House condemned the shelling Wednesday of a U.N. school in the Gaza Strip that was sheltering Palestinians displaced by the fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.
The U.S. didn’t assign responsibility for the shelling, but Gaza officials say Israel struck the school, killing 15 and wounding 90. Israeli’s military said it fired back after soldiers were targeted by mortar rounds launched from the vicinity of the school.
White House spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan also said the U.S. is “extremely concerned” that thousands of Palestinians aren’t safe in U.N.-designated shelters, despite being told by Israel’s military to leave their homes. Israel has warned civilians by phone and leaflet to leave dangerous areas ahead of strikes on militant targets.
At the same time, Meehan said the U.S. condemns those who have been hiding weapons in U.N. facilities. She reiterated the U.S. call for a quick cease-fire to stem the violence.
“All of these actions, and similar ones earlier in the conflict, are inconsistent with the U.N.’s neutrality,” Meehan said. “This violence underscores the need to achieve a cease-fire as soon as possible.”
Here’s the full statement:
The United States condemns the shelling of a UNRWA school in Gaza, which reportedly killed and injured innocent Palestinians – including children – and UN humanitarian workers.
We are extremely concerned that thousands of internally displaced Palestinians who have been called on by the Israeli military to evacuate their homes are not safe in UN designated shelters in Gaza. We also condemn those responsible for hiding weapons in United Nations facilities in Gaza. All of these actions, and similar ones earlier in the conflict, are inconsistent with the UN’s neutrality. This violence underscores the need to achieve a cease-fire as soon as possible.
They won’t even name Hamas as the ones hiding weapons in UN facilities. Geez. How lame can you be that you won’t call out terrorists?
On a related note, the US embassy in Tel-aviv has cancelled the visa process for Israelis until further notice:
ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS – The US embassy in Tel Aviv has cancelled tourist visa applications for Israelis, according to a statement on its official website, in a move it claims is a matter of staffing and security.
“Due to the current security situation in Tel Aviv, U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv remains open but is operating at reduced staffing until further notice, and has canceled routine visa application processing and American Citizen services,” the statement says. “Emergencies involving an American citizen and visa applications will be considered on a case by case basis.”
The statement surfaces in the midst of both souring US-Israel relations and an already-pressured visa crisis, which has seen the visa process for Israelis grow more and more difficult over the past year.