Washington – Obama Says Will Be Hard To Get A New Ceasefire In Gaza, Reiterates Support For Kerry

    3

    Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn watch a news conference given by President Obama in Washington addressing the Israeli situation. Aug. 1, 2014 (Shimon Gifter/VINnews.com)Washington – President Barack Obama said on Friday that it will be difficult to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza after the latest truce fell apart but he strongly defended Secretary of State John Kerry for his failed diplomatic drive.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    Obama’s comment at a White House news conference suggested the limited impact that diplomacy is having as Israel tries to dismantle Hamas tunnel networks in Gaza and the Palestinian militants fight back.

    “It’s going to be hard to get there,” Obama told a White House news conference of efforts to reach a ceasefire. “I think that there’s a lot of anger and there’s a lot of despair. And you know, that’s a volatile mix.”

    Kerry came under heavy criticism in Israel earlier this week for his latest attempt at a ceasefire after some Israelis viewed his bid for an immediate pause in fighting as basically trying to stop Israel from dismantling the Hamas tunnels.

    Obama, who has had a testy relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear he took a dim view of the criticism his top diplomat had faced.

    “When I see John Kerry going out there and trying to broker a ceasefire, we should all be supporting him,” Obama said. “There shouldn’t be a bunch of complaints and second-guessing about, ‘well, it hasn’t happened yet,’ or nitpicking before he’s had a chance to complete his efforts.”

    The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has tested American diplomacy and laid bare the limits of Obama’s ability to influence events in the Middle East.

    Pressed on whether the United States had lost its influence in the world under his presidency, Obama dismissed what he called a “common theme” of criticism about his handling of foreign policy.

    “Apparently people have forgotten that America, as the most powerful country on Earth, still does not control everything around the world,” he said.

    An ABC News/Washington Post poll this week said 39 percent of Americans approve of Obama’s handling of the situation in Israel and Gaza while more than half, 52 percent, disapprove.

    Despite American leadership, he said, “There’s still going to be tragedies out there and there’s going to be conflicts and our job is to just make sure that we continue to project what’s right.”


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group


    3 Comments
    Most Voted
    Newest Oldest
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    9 years ago

    Please continue saying Tehillim 140. Dovid Hamelech describes the events going on now in Gaza. Chamas is mentioned 4 times in the kapital. Amazing nevua.

    Haimov
    Haimov
    9 years ago

    Obama should put pressure on Qatar to return a kidnapped soldgier.
    IF there was no cease fire no kidnapping

    9 years ago

    Sorry, but Obama/Kerry here are just a pair of buffoons. They are not being taken seriously, except by each other.

    There is a major hurdle in this conflict. Israel is a civilized country that has proven a long history of being party to negotiations. Hamas, as well as virtually every other Muslim entity, has proven that they are not. Nothing but the sword brings about a result. Their word, even signature is worthless, and the time invested in trying to get that word is simply wasted.

    What America needs to do here is to approach Hamas or its representative and give the simple message. Terror groups are enemies of United States. We will do everything in pour power to decimate any trace of terror we can find. This includes Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and anyone else. We will search and stop any funding from America, and anyone with political alliance will be arrested, convicted, and jailed. Any attacks against our allies are attacks against us, and we will declare war on Hamas and its partners in terror. The Gaza conflict will be a war against United States, and you will be eliminated. If you unconditionally cease all violence, we will allow you a few more days to live.