Israel Matzav

White House Press Secretary refuses to guarantee US would save Israel

Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs was asked on Tuesday whether the US would come to Israel's assistance if its existence were threatened by Hamas, Hezbullah or any new government in the Middle East. Here's his response.

Let's go to the videotape.



Here's the transcript:

Q One domestic and one international. If Israel is threatened by any of these new governments or by Hamas or Hezbollah, if its existence is in danger, would the U.S. come to Israel’s assistance?

MR. GIBBS: Well, I think regardless of the situation facing any government in the region, our friendship and our -- our friendship, our partnership and our alliance with Israel is unchanged.

Unchanged? What the heck does that mean? That was a "yes" or "no" question.

Q -- to the second question, which is the British Foreign Minister William Hague said today that this is time for the U.S. administration to take a bold step in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process considering what’s happening in the Middle East. Is this something that the President is considering now?

MR. GIBBS: Well, look, I think the President has, and this administration have been, from day one, actively involved in seeking a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. And we understand and we know that our lack of involvement by this country is not likely to produce the outcome that the world hopes for with peace. Only through active engagement and involvement can that happen. We have and we will continue to do that.

But just like in this instance, we cannot construct or force on those two entities something that they’re unwilling to take steps to do themselves.

If he's re-elected (God forbid), you can bet that 'bold step' will be coming.

What could go wrong?

Labels: Robert Gibbs, US State Department, US support for Israel

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:09 PM