Former President Barack Obama addressed the ongoing Israel-Gaza war during a speech at the Obama Foundation’s Democracy Forum. Speaking at the event on Friday, Obama referred to the conflict as a “moral reckoning for all of us” and called for a two-state solution and an end to the “occupation.” However, he did not clarify which occupation he was referring to.
Obama highlighted the failure of achieving a durable peace between Israelis and Palestinians over the decades and emphasized the need for genuine security for Israel, recognition of its right to exist, and the creation of a viable state for the Palestinian people. He expressed his concern and acknowledged the difficulty of remaining impartial in the face of the ongoing violence and devastation.
The Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7 when Hamas launched a terrorist attack against Israel, resulting in the death of over 1,400 Israeli citizens. Since then, the Gaza Health Ministry claims that more than 9,000 people have been killed in Gaza as Israeli Defense Forces continue their ground incursion. The death toll is expected to rise as the clearance of buildings and rubble progresses.
Obama admitted that the war has caused divisions within the Obama Foundation, leading to discussions and debates on the issue. He acknowledged the passionate arguments and different assessments regarding the path to achieving an end to the killing and peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians.
President Biden, while affirming Israel’s right to self-defense against Hamas, has faced pressure from progressive groups and world leaders to support a humanitarian “pause” in the conflict. However, the United States has not officially backed a cease-fire, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing concerns about a pause enabling Hamas to regroup and plan further attacks.
The Israel-Gaza war continues to be a topic of global concern, with former President Obama’s remarks shedding light on the urgent need for a resolution and lasting peace in the region.
