Three False Claims by Biden Regarding the Israel-Palestine War
In recent discussions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, President Joe Biden has made several claims that have come under scrutiny.
This article aims to shed light on three of these claims and examine their accuracy.
1. Unverified Claims of Beheaded Children -FALSE-
During a White House speech, President Biden made a startling assertion, stating that he had seen pictures of terrorists beheading children in the aftermath of the attack on Israel. He described this as the "deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust."
However, these claims were unverified and had primarily circulated on social media.
Nicole Zedek, a reporter from the Israeli news channel i24, claimed to have spoken to Israeli soldiers who had witnessed such gruesome events.
Nonetheless, a White House spokesperson later clarified that the President's comments were based on claims from Netanyahu's spokesperson and media reports from Israel. These reports have not been independently confirmed, making the President's statement questionable.
2. Claims of Massacres and Assaults at a Music Festival -FALSE-
President Biden also claimed that young Israelis were "raped, assaulted, paraded as trophies" during the Palestinian attack, which included the infiltration of several villages and a music festival. While this attack did result in significant casualties, with two hundred and sixty people reported dead, there is no concrete evidence to substantiate claims of sexual assaults.
The Los Angeles Times, among others, has retracted such claims, stating that they have not been substantiated. While several women were killed in the attack or taken as prisoners of war, allegations of rape remain unverified by Israeli authorities or independent human rights groups.
3. Denial of Targeting Civilians by Israel -FALSE-
In an attempt to defend Israel's bombing campaign in Gaza, President Biden asserted that Israel does not target civilians and journalists. This statement has been met with skepticism, especially in light of residential buildings and UN-run schools being bombed during the conflict.
The United Nations' Independent Commission of Inquiry has already indicated that there is "clear evidence that war crimes may have been committed" by both sides.
Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's statement about ordering a complete siege on Gaza, including cutting off essential resources, raises concerns about violations of international law.