Biden Faces Tough Decision Making in Israel Vs Hamas Conflict

As war rages between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, U.S. President Joe Biden voiced support Wednesday for what now seems like a distant goal — the long-sought U.S. wish for separate, autonomous Israeli and Palestinian states.

Biden said at a White House news conference that “the aspirations of Palestinians cannot be ignored. Israelis and Palestinians equally deserve to live side by side in safety, dignity, and peace.”

The U.S. leader said he is alarmed by “extremist settlers” attacking Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. He called it “pouring gasoline on fire,” and said the settlers are “attacking Palestinians in places they’re entitled to be.”

Biden also expressed concern, for the safety of more than 200 hostages, some of them believed to be Americans, captured by Hamas during its shock October 7 attack on Israel.

“They’re in jeopardy,” Biden said. “If we can get them out, we should.”

In the meantime, the crisis is aggravating unpredictable occurrences triggering rational thought and approach to well-meaning citizens of the world to step up action for peace.