Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unloaded on President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for once again urging Israel to show restraint — even in the immediate aftermath of Hamas terrorists executing six more hostages in Rafah.
Upon receiving the news that 23-year-old American Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin was among the hostages — who were reportedly executed just a short time before their bodies were discovered by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) — Biden and Harris each released statements condemning Hamas. But then Biden lashed out directly at Netanyahu, saying that he did not believe the Israeli Prime Minister was “doing enough” to help secure a deal with Hamas for the release of all remaining hostages.
Netanyahu argued that since the unprovoked attacks visited upon Israel by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, Israel had made concessions. Israel had exercised restraint. And Israel had done much of that at the request of the Biden-Harris administration, even when Hamas repeatedly refused to make reciprocal concessions.
WATCH:
Must Watch Video Remarks from @IsraeliPM @netanyahu: “I was asked whether I am not doing enough to the release of hostages. Well, I want to set the record straight. On April 27th, Secretary of State Blinken said that, ‘Israel made an extraordinary, generous offer for a hostage… pic.twitter.com/yT1rHKbOCJ
— David Milstein (@davidamilstein) September 2, 2024
“I was asked whether I am not doing enough to the release of hostages,” Netanyahu said in response to Biden’s claim, listing a number of times that Israel had been prepared to move forward with a deal to get the hostages back and noting that it was always Hamas that ultimately ended negotiations: “On August 28th — that’s five days ago — five days ago — Deputy CIA Director said that ‘Israel shows seriousness in the negotiations. Now Hamas must show the same seriousness.’”
“I want to ask you something. What has changed in the last five days? What has changed?” Netanyahu asked, and then answered. “One thing: these murderers executed six of our hostages. They shot them in the back of the head. That’s what changed! And now after this, we’re asked to show seriousness?! We’re asked to make concessions?! What message does this send Hamas?! It says, kill more hostages. Murder more hostages and you will get more concessions.”
“The pressure internationally must be directed at these killers! At Hamas. Not at Israel. We say ‘yes.’ They say ‘no’ all the time but they also murdered these people. And we now we need maximum pressure on Hamas,” Netanyahu concluded, arguing that it was the Biden-Harris administration that was not truly serious about ending the carnage and saving the hostages. “I don’t believe that either President Biden or anyone serious about achieving peace and achieving the release would seriously ask Israel, Israel to make these concessions. We’ve already made them. Hamas has to make the concessions. Thank you very much.”