President Joe Biden, who has pledged support for Israel amid the country’s ongoing war with Hamas that has left more than 37,000 Palestinians dead, claimed in a recent interview that he’s “the guy that did more for the Palestinian community than anybody.”
The president also defended his support for the Israel — his administration approved a bill to provide $26 billion in additional wartime aid to the country in April — and called himself a Zionist. “If there weren’t an Israel, every Jew in the world would be at risk,” said Biden. “And so there’s a need for it to be strong.” He added, “By the way, I’m the guy that did more for the Palestinian community than anybody. I’m the guy that opened up all the assets. I’m the guy that made sure that – I got the Egyptians to open the border to let goods through, medicine, and food,” Biden said. “I have been very supportive of the Palestinians, but Hamas, they’re a bunch of thugs.”
Weren’t there some issues with a few UNRWA staff helping hamas? As much as I’d like to support relief efforts, that is a red flag.
There were not. Israel has alleged as such but never produced evidence. Given that any host country (and de facto governments) is made aware of the identity and role of UNRWA employees in their country Israel had plenty of insight and opportunity to object. They didn’t for years. Nevertheless the employees that allegedly were providing aid to Hamas were immediately fired.