Former U.S. President Barack Obama, in a recent interview, discussed the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing the need for everyone to acknowledge their part.
What Happened: Obama, in an excerpted interview with Pod Save America released Saturday, cautioned against overlooking the complexities of the war.
"If you want to solve the problem, then you have to take in the whole truth. And you then have to admit nobody's hands are clean, that all of us are complicit to some degree," he said.
“Well, was there something else I could have done?” Obama reflected on his presidency.
He emphasized the importance of recognizing multiple truths, including the horrific actions of Hamas and the unbearable occupation and treatment of Palestinians.
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Why It Matters: During his presidency, Obama shared a frosty relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly regarding the approach to a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Obama previously, during an address to the Democracy Forum in Chicago, warned that any actions by Israel that disregard the human cost of the war could potentially backfire. He said that the images of mourning families and bodies pulled from rubble called for a moral reckoning.
The former president also discussed the decades-long failure to establish a lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians, emphasizing the need for Israel’s security, recognition of its existence, and an end to occupation for Palestinian self-determination.
Obama’s comments have sparked reactions from various quarters. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) criticized Obama’s remarks, stating that Democrats have a problem supporting Israel without conditions. Scott asserted, “The truth is simple: Hamas is evil.”
The full interview with Obama is set to be released next week by Crooked Media, a company founded by former members of the Obama administration.
Photo by Evan El-Amin on Shutterstock
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