Former President Barack Obama is coming under fire for his recent remarks on Israel’s war on Hamas, for giving equivalence morally to the October 7 terrorist attacks by linking them to Israel’s “occupation” of lands in Palestine.
“What Hamas did was horrific, and there’s no justification for it,” said Obama, following that statement by saying, “And what is also true is that the occupation and what’s happening to Palestinians is unbearable.”
Obama made the remarks at his Foundation’s “Democracy Forum” Friday, and video excerpts of Obama’s comments were posted on Pod Save America’s X page.
Critics were swift to note the former president’s moral equivalency of the brutal Hamas attacks, which left over 1,400 Israelis dead, with the Daily Mail publishing a headline saying, “Barack REFUSES to Pick a Side.”
Obama appeared to condemn both sides and maintained it was the best way to solve the conflict.
“If there’s any chance for us to be able to act constructively to do something, it will require an admission of complexity and maintain what on the surface may seem contradictory ideas,” said Obama.
Obama seemed to be open to negotiating with the Hamas terrorists, who reportedly hold over 200 hostages, with as many as 20 American citizens.
“If you genuinely want to change this, then you’ve got to figure out how to speak to somebody on the other side, and listen to them, and understand what they are talking about and not dismiss it,” said Obama.
“Because you can’t save that child without their help, not in this situation,” he added.
PM of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu rejected Obama’s advice
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the advice in a televised address this week and said a “cease-fire would mean Israel’s surrender to Hamas terrorists.”
It is unclear what occupation the former president was referring to.
Israel, under pressure from the United States, withdrew unilaterally from Gaza in 2005, giving Palestinians living there total control. Soon after the withdrawal by Israel, Hamas established an iron grip over the area.
Obama also took a swing at Israel.
“You can try to maintain your moral innocence, but that won’t solve the problem,” said Obama.
“If you want to solve the problem, then you have to take in the whole truth, and then you have to admit that nobody’s hands are clean, that all of us are complicit to some degree,” said Obama.
Obama expressed his culpability and told his audience that he asked himself, “Well, is there something else I could have done?”
