In a recent press conference held at the US State Department, spokespersonMathew Miller faced intense criticism for his handling of questionsregarding the killing of Palestinian children and civilians by Israel amidthe ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Journalists directed multiple inquiries to Miller during the pressconference, but he chose to avoid addressing them directly. For instance,journalist Sam Husseini pressed Miller on urging Israel to refrain fromactions that harm Palestinian civilians, but Miller sidestepped thequestion and redirected the discussion.
Husseini expressed frustration by stating, “People in Palestine are beingbombed, and you are completely silent, effectively giving Israel a greenlight. This is absurd.”
In another instance, journalist Said Arikat questioned Israel’s status as ademocracy and the international view that cutting off essential serviceslike water, electricity, food, and medicine is considered a war crime.
Arikat asked if the US called on Israel to stop restricting humanitarianaid in Palestine. However, Miller argued that Israel had the “right” torespond forcefully to recent acts of terrorism by Hamas. He remarked, “Doyou expect Israel to follow international law after the terrorist attack byHamas?”
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The discussion also touched on the intentional targeting of civilians byIsrael and the awareness of Palestinian children being killed. In response,Miller referred to “public reports” without directly addressing theseconcerns.
A significant moment occurred when Max Blumenthal, the editor of TheGrayzone News, raised issues regarding the ethnic cleansing of Palestiniansand Israel’s “genocidal rhetoric.”
Blumenthal confronted Miller with questions about the deaths of Palestinianchildren resulting from Israeli bombings in residential areas. Miller’sresponse emphasized Israel’s right to protect itself in the wake of aterrorist attack by Hamas, emphasizing the need for the country to defenditself as others would.