BEIJING: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the recent protests at US universities over US-ally Israel’s war in Gaza were a hallmark of American democracy, however he also criticized what he called the “silence” about Palestinian militant group Hamas. He said this in a press conference in Beijing on Friday.
Earlier, after the last week across major US universities, Police clashed with students who were critical of the war and protesting against the Biden administration’s for supporting Israel’s war in Gaza. According to Reuters Police arrested more than 550 amid these protests.
Responding a question about these protests Blinken said he knew about the conflict elicited “strong, passionate feelings” and that the administration was doing it best to stop the war.
“In the US, it’s a hallmark of our democracy that citizens of our country make known their views, their concerns, their anger, at any given time, and I think that reflects the strength of the country and democracy,” US Secretary of State said.
He however criticized the critics adding that they should focus their ire on Hamas who sparked the war with their October 7 attack on southern Israel in which about 1,200 people were killed and some 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli counts.
In Response Israel’s military has killed over 34,000 Palestinians including women and children and injured more than 77,000, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
“But as I’ve also said repeatedly, the way Israel goes about ensuring that Oct. 7 never happens again matters profoundly. And we are trying from the very first day to minimize the damage that’s done to innocent people, to make sure that they have the support and assistance they required”, he said.
Blinken, who earlier on Friday, met Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials in Beijing, said he had discussed with Chinese President that how China could play a positive and constructive role in minimizing global crises, including in the Middle East.
