Washington – Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged unwavering support for Israel during his visit to the country on Thursday. In condemning Hamas’ actions, he likened them to the atrocities committed by ISIS. Standing alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, Blinken stated that as long as America exists, Israel will never have to defend itself alone. He assured Netanyahu that the United States will always be by Israel’s side.

Blinken’s visit to Israel comes in the wake of Hamas’ recent deadly attacks and is a clear demonstration of the Biden administration’s commitment to bolstering Israel’s defenses and preventing the conflict from escalating. The trip also coincides with efforts by the US to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, including American citizens. The death toll continues to rise as a result of both Hamas’ attacks and Israeli strikes in Gaza.

While emphasizing the need for condemnation of Hamas’ actions, Blinken described the horrors committed by the terrorist group, including the killing of innocent civilians and the desecration of bodies. As a Jew and a father, Blinken expressed his personal understanding of the impact of these massacres on Israeli Jews and Jews worldwide. He called for moral clarity and emphasized that there is no excuse or justification for these atrocities.

During his visit, Blinken assured Israel that military support has already arrived, with more on the way. He also highlighted the overwhelming bipartisan support in the US Congress for Israel’s security. While he did not explicitly call for restraint from Israeli forces, Blinken stressed the importance of taking precautions to avoid harming civilians.

Blinken affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself and prevent further loss of life. He underscored the importance of Israel’s actions being conducted in a manner that upholds respect for civilian life, distinguishing democracies from terrorist organizations like Hamas. He also emphasized that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people.

The United States is actively working with Israel to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Additionally, Blinken stated that efforts are underway to prevent the conflict from spreading, with intensive diplomacy being pursued throughout the region.

In conclusion, Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Israel reaffirmed the United States’ strong support for the country in the face of Hamas’ brutal attacks. The Biden administration is committed to bolstering Israel’s defenses and is actively working to secure the release of hostages. Blinken emphasized the need for condemnation of Hamas’ atrocities and called for Israel to exercise caution in its military actions to minimize harm to civilians.