From the Liveblog of
Friday, October 13, 2023
US defense chief Austin: No time for neutrality
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says that now is not the time to equivocate on atrocities.
“This is no time for neutrality, or for false equivalence, or for excuses for the inexcusable,” Austin says at a press statement alongside his Israel counterpart Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv.
“There is never any justification for terrorism. And that’s especially true of this rampage by Hamas,” Austin adds.
Austin says that “anyone who wants lasting peace and security for this region must condemn and isolate Hamas,” adding that “Hamas does not speak for the Palestinian people, or their legitimate hopes for dignity, security and statehood and peace alongside Israel.”
Austin says that Hamas activity — “bloodthirsty, fanatical” — reminds him of the ISIS terror group: “Hamas has nothing to offer, but zealotry, bigotry and death.”
In a not-so veiled threat to Hezbollah in Lebanon, Austin says that “any country, or any group or anyone trying to take advantage of this atrocity… we have just one word: Don’t.”
The Times of Israel Community.