At a press conference recently, President Biden dismissed reports of an estimated 200 Palestinian deaths due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, as part of the ongoing conflict in the region. The statement by the President was met with outrage, as it seemed he was dismissing Palestinian lives in exchange for ensuring the security of Israeli citizens. With tension already high in the Middle East, this response has caused further alienation between Israel and Palestine, and has the potential to escalate the situation.
The President made his statement in response to the reports made by the United Nations Human Rights Council, which concluded that an estimated 212 Palestinian civilians have been killed due to the airstrikes. Although the President’s statement spoke about taking Israeli security into account, his refusal to acknowledge the Palestinian fatalities has caused much criticism from the Palestinians and their supporters.
The silence of the United States regarding the death toll in the region has been a cause of major concern as they are an integral part of the peace process and could provide an important role in diffusing the situation. In this context, Biden’s dismissal of the reported Palestinian death toll could be interpreted as a signal that the US is prepared to side with Israel and disregard Palestinian lives. This could have serious consequences for the already fragile diplomatic relations between Israel and Palestine, as well as regional stability in the Middle East.
Biden’s statement has come at a critical juncture in the conflict, and its implications must be taken into consideration. His refusal to accept the death toll could act as a signal of support for Israel, and alienate the Palestinians and their supporters. Moreover, it could put a strain on the US’s relationship with the international community, and could have a negative impact on the peace process. As such, it is essential that the US take steps to de-escalate the situation and ensure that Palestinian lives are respected.
