Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton issued statements Monday evening condemning Hamas’ bloody blitz on Israel — more than two full days after the terrorist atrocity began.
“All Americans should be horrified and outraged by the brazen terrorist attacks on Israel and the slaughter of innocent civilians,” Obama wrote on X, formerly Twitter, soon after 5 p.m.
“We grieve for those who died, pray for the safe return of those who’ve been held hostage, and stand squarely alongside our ally, Israel, as it dismantles Hamas,” he continued. “As we support Israel’s right to defend itself against terror, we must keep striving for a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Obama famously had an icy relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who gave a speech to the GOP-led House of Representatives in 2015 assailing the 44th president’s Iran nuclear agreement.
Almost exactly one hour later, Clinton weighed in.
“I condemn the horrific terrorist assault carried out by Hamas in Israel, and mourn the senseless loss of life. My heart is with all those affected by the violence, including American families. Now is a time for the world to rally against terrorism and to support Israeli democracy,” the 42nd president said in his own X post.
“I stand with the government of Israel and all Israelis, and urge them to stand together. This is a moment to focus on purpose over politics.”
Clinton helped broker the mid-1990s Oslo Accords between the Palestinians and Israelis, which ultimately failed to usher in peace between the two sides.
While her husband stayed silent, Hillary Clinton decried the terrorist attacks on Sunday afternoon.
“My prayers are with everyone affected by the horrific attacks by Hamas in Israel,” wrote the former first lady, senator from New York, and secretary of state. “The United States stands in strong support of our ally, today and every day.”
Meanwhile, former presidents Donald Trump, 77, George W. Bush, also 77, and Jimmy Carter, 99, or their foundations have all issued statements in support of the Jewish state.
The Carter Center said in a statement Sunday that it “strongly condemns the targeting of Israeli and Palestinian civilians and calls for genuine dialogue as well as international collective action to halt hostilities in the region.”
The George W. Bush Presidential Center in Texas said it “strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attacks on Israel that claimed scores of innocent civilians. We urge the United States and our allies to stand unequivocally with Israel, its government and people, and support Israel’s right to defend itself against these threats.”
Trump, who is seeking a second term as president, quickly decried the violence in his own statement: “These Hamas attacks are a disgrace, and Israel has every right to defend itself with overwhelming force.”
Biden has delivered public remarks on the situation and deployed American warships to the region in response to the bloodshed.
“The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel,” the president said Saturday afternoon in brief comments from the State Dining Room.
Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist group largely concentrated in the Gaza Strip, caught Israeli defenses off-guard with a barrage of thousands of rockets and ground attacks at daybreak.
At least 900 Israelis are believed to have died in the bloody violence with an estimated 2,600 wounded, according to Israel’s Army Radio.
So far Biden has confirmed 11 Americans were killed and admitted it is “likely” US citizens have been taken hostage.
Israel’s cabinet has declared war for the first time in 50 years and launched airstrikes on Gaza ahead of an expected ground attack.
Didn’t read the article. Like I care what those 2 fools have to say. They probably encouraged it.
They arranged it!! Obama is the death of America like he planned since 2009