Rep. Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.) demanded that President Obama replace State Department Spokesman John Kirby for accusing Israel of terrorism amid increased terror attacks at the hands of Palestinians there.
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At least 1,600 Palestinians have been injured during clashes with Israelis since October. 3, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
When pressed on the matter, Kirby conceded that the USA had brought up concerns about the use of force in conversations with Israeli officials, and that they had “routinely” done so throughout the years, while trying to downplay the idea that they had any real problem with what Israel is doing on the whole.
Kirby also said the administration has obtained “credible reports” of Israelis using excessive force as it deals with a rash of terrorist murders carried out by Palestinians seeking to cause havoc and spark an intifada.
Kerry added that on Friday morning he would begin a new worldwide tour that will include talks with allies about the conflict in Syria, but he did not say which countries he would be visiting.
Amman may “soon” host a three-way meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and officials from the Palestinian Authority and Israel, as the U.S. top diplomat is travelling to the region in an attempt to ease the mounting tension between Palestinians and Israelis.
Kirby said Kerry would travel to the region “to try to find ways to reduce the tensions, restore the calm”.
“The Israel Police do not hurt any innocent people”. The admin’s inflammatory comments prompted a swift response from Israel’s Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan that aired on Israel Army radio and later on social media.
At stops along the main road between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Hebron – a major junction to other points in the occupied territory – on Thursday, border police were boarding and searching every bus.
An officer sitting in the front carriage fired a single shot in the air and someone later pulled the emergency brake.
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Another 11 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip while storming the Israeli border and in an airstrike responding to Palestinian rocket fire.
