From the Liveblog of
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Blinken pans ‘unacceptable’ attacks on Gaza aid convoys by far-right protesters, notes their arrest by Israel
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemns the “unacceptable” attack on a Jordanian aid convoy by Israeli protesters trying to prevent its transfer to Gaza earlier today.
“My understanding is that the people who attacked this convoy were arrested today by the Israeli authorities. That sends a very strong message,” he notes during an NBC Nightly News interview.
The Israeli government must “continue to send a strong message that this aid cannot be, must not be interfered with as it goes through Israel… Israel is better than this,” he adds, while noting that the atrocities committed against Israel on October 7 and Hamas’s continued holding of hostages since.
The people who so desperately need this aid and who are now getting more of it because of the important steps that [Israel has] taken in recent weeks — including right here at Ashdod port — have nothing to do with October 7, nothing to do with the hostages.”
“They’ve been caught in this crossfire of Hamas’s making, and it’s imperative that they get the food that they need, the water they need, the medical supplies they need, access to the hospitals, to health care — all of that.”
Why are right-wing extremists destroying flour shipments headed into the Gaza Strip & being allowed to do so by the @IDF near the borders? This is sick and shameful behavior that's wasteful, wrong & undermines claims of unhindered international humanitarian aid being allowed in. pic.twitter.com/Gt4LVvkvFd
— Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib (@afalkhatib) May 1, 2024
The Times of Israel Community.