U.S. Vice President JD Vance has rejected accusations that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, while expressing deep sorrow over the suffering of innocent civilians, particularly children, caught in the ongoing conflict.
Speaking on the "This Past Weekend with Theo Von" podcast, Vance responded to emotionally charged footage from Gaza that the host described as "horrific," stating, "I see these videos, I see the pictures, and it's very heartbreaking."
Balancing Israel's Security with Palestinian Suffering
Vance emphasized that the conflict must be viewed through a balanced perspective: "On the one hand, you've got innocent Palestinians, and innocent Israeli hostages, caught up in this terrible violence. On the other side, Israel is attacked by a terrible terrorist organization."
He added that the Trump administration is committed to facilitating aid to Palestinians while also ensuring Israel's right to self-defense. "What we're trying to do is get to a peaceful resolution that gives Israel confidence Hamas won't attack them again, while also getting as much aid and support to Palestinians as possible," he said.
Rejecting Genocide Claims
When podcast host Theo Von accused the U.S. of being complicit in what he termed a "genocide" by providing weapons to Israel, Vance firmly pushed back: "Here's the reason why I don't think it's genocide: I don't think the Israelis are purposely trying to go in and murder every Palestinian. They got hit hard, and they're trying to destroy a terrorist organization. War is hell."
Vance criticized rhetoric from both ends of the political spectrum in the U.S. "I've seen people on the left who completely ignore innocent Israelis killed in the Hamas terrorist attack," he said. "And some on the right who ignore the suffering of innocent Palestinian kids. If you have a soul, your heart should break when you see a little kid who's suffering."
Defending the Administration's Approach
The Vice President also defended Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration's special envoy to the Middle East, amid criticism from some Republican and pro-Israel voices who have accused Witkoff of not being "pro-Israel enough."
He stated that the Trump administration's priority is to "stop the conflict, eliminate the source of the conflict, and bring peace and humanitarian assistance to people who desperately need it."
Despite U.S. support for Israel's rejection of a permanent ceasefire, the administration has been seeking a temporary truce, though efforts have stalled due to Hamas deeming the proposals insufficient.
Vance concluded by criticizing the previous Biden administration for its foreign policy approach, particularly regarding Ukraine, saying, "What people should demand is that if our tax dollars are going to something, we should be actively trying to fix it."
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