Blinken: ‘As long as America Exists,’ It Will Support Israel

 Blinken expressed full-throated support for Israel while meeting Netanyahu in Tel Aviv amid the bombardment of Gaza

by Dave DeCamp, Antiwar. com, October 12, 2023

Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared in Tel Aviv on Thursday that “as long as America exists,” it will support Israel, a pledge that came amid a relentless Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

“The message that I bring to Israel is this: You may be strong enough on your own to defend yourself – but as long as America exists, you will never, ever have to. We will always be there, by your side,” Blinken said alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Since Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, the US has shipped more military equipment to Israel, deployed an aircraft carrier strike group, and augmented its fighter jets in the region. Congress is poised to authorize more military aid on top of the $3.8 billion Israel receives each year.

“We’re delivering on our word — supplying ammunition, interceptors to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome, alongside other defense materiel. The first shipments of US military support have already arrived in Israel, and more is on the way,” Blinken said.

“As Israel’s defense needs evolve, we will work with Congress to make sure that they’re met. And I can tell you there is overwhelming — overwhelming — bipartisan support in our Congress for Israel’s security,” he added.

Blinken said it’s “important to take every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians” but did not mention the hundreds of children who have been killed by Israel’s onslaught on Gaza.

Also on Thursday, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the new aid for Israel was unconditional. “In terms of conditions that we would place on the security assistance that we’re providing to Israel, we have not placed any conditions on the provision of this equipment,” he said.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 1,537 Palestinians — including 500 children and 276 women — have been killed and 6,612 wounded in Israel’s airstrikes on the besieged enclave since Saturday. On the Israeli side, at least 1,300 people have been killed and 3,200 wounded. Israeli officials have also said 1,500 Hamas militants were killed in southern Israel, but the death toll hasn’t been confirmed.