By Simon Lewis
BEIJING (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Friday that protests at U.S. universities against U.S. ally Israel’s war in Gaza are a mark of U.S. democracy, but criticized what he called the “silence” toward of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Police have clashed with students critical of the war and the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza, with nearly 550 arrests made following last week’s protests in major American universities, according to a Reuters tally.
Asked at a news conference in China whether he took the protesters’ message into account, Blinken said he understood that the conflict stirred up “strong and passionate feelings” and that the administration was doing everything she could to end the war.
“In our own country, it is a hallmark of our democracy that our citizens make their opinions, their concerns, their anger known, at all times, and I think that reflects the strength of the country, the strength of democracy,” Blinken said. .
But he suggested that critics should focus their anger on Hamas militants who sparked the war with their Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel in which about 1,200 people were killed and some 250 taken hostage , according to Israeli counts.
The Israeli military response has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians and injured more than 77,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.
“It’s also notable that there is silence about Hamas, as if it’s not even part of the story,” Blinken said.
“But as I have also said repeatedly, it matters deeply how Israel ensures that the events of October 7 do not happen again. And we work every day to try to minimize the harm to innocent people and to us. ensure they have the help and support they need.
Blinken, who met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials in Beijing on Friday, said he discussed how China can play a constructive role in global crises, including in the Middle East, where he said Beijing could discourage Iran and its proxies from escalating. the dispute.
Blinken said he spoke to Foreign Minister Wang Yi several times this month when tensions rose between Israel and Tehran. China is the main buyer of oil exported by sanctions-hit Iran.
“I think, again, the relationship that China has can be positive in trying to ease tensions, prevent escalation, avoid the spread of conflict, and we agreed that we would stay in touch regular about it, and that’s certainly my goal.” intention,” Blinken said.
(Reporting by Simon Lewis, additional reporting by Antoni Slodkowski, editing by Timothy Heritage)
yahoo
