Biden administration backs Israel’s Jenin raid to kill terrorist

The Biden administration backs the deadly counter-terrorism raid carried out by the IDF earlier today in Jenin, saying Israel has a “legitimate right to defend its people.”

Asked for comment on the raid during a press briefing, US State Department Spokesman Ned Price notes the Israeli army’s claim that its troops were pursuing the perpetrator of “what can only be described as a horrific attack” in Huwara last week.

“Israel has the legitimate right to defend its people and its territory against all forms of aggression, including those from terrorist groups,” Price says.

“We have seen far too many vivid demonstrations of the terrorist threat that Israel faces in recent days.”

At the same time, Price says that the US “remain[s] deeply concerned by the sharp rise in violence in the West Bank and we continue to urge the parties to take immediate steps to prevent the further loss of life.”

He also expresses the administration’s “extreme concern” over the latest settler attack in Huwara that took place last night, a week after a deadly rampage in the Palestinian city. In last night’s incident, four Palestinians were hospitalized and several buildings and vehicles were vandalized. No arrests were made. Price called on Israel to hold those responsible for the violence against Palestinians accountable, just as it does when the roles are switched.