Former President Barack Obama has expressed his concerns about the situation in Palestine, stating that it is unbearable for the Palestinians. These remarks were made during an interview with Pod Save America, and an excerpt of the interview was published on Saturday.
In addition to discussing the plight of the Palestinians, Obama also addressed the issue of antisemitism and the negative impact of “TikTok activism” on meaningful discourse.
Obama condemned the killing spree carried out by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7, calling it “horrific” and unjustifiable. However, he emphasized that the occupation and the suffering of the Palestinian people is also unbearable.
Earlier, Obama had warned against an Israeli ground operation in Gaza, cautioning that it could backfire and lead to increased support for extremism. While acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself, he stressed that civilian casualties would undermine the country’s long-term security.
In his latest statements, the former president called for all parties involved in the Israel-Palestine conflict to recognize the complexity of the situation and acknowledge each other’s valid grievances.
Obama highlighted the importance of understanding the history of the Jewish people, particularly the experiences of antisemitism, in order to fully grasp the current situation. He stated that there are innocent people dying who have no connection to Hamas’ actions.
The interview with Obama was conducted by Pod Save America, a podcast hosted by his former White House aides. The publication of the interview excerpt reflects growing discomfort among current and former US officials regarding the escalating death toll in Gaza, which has reached nearly 10,000 according to Hamas-run health ministry.
While Obama acknowledged the deaths of innocent Palestinians, he cautioned against one-sided narratives and simplistic slogans that dominate social media platforms. He criticized the limitations of TikTok activism, stating that it does not allow for a truthful and nuanced discussion of the issue. He emphasized the need to consider the whole truth and acknowledge that nobody’s hands are entirely clean in this conflict.
During his presidency, Obama supported peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority with the goal of achieving a two-state solution. He urged Israelis to understand the perspective of Palestinians living under occupation in the West Bank. However, he also supported Israeli military actions in Gaza, including “Operation Protective Edge,” which resulted in the deaths of over 2,200 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians. Like his predecessors, Obama was unable to secure a final status agreement between Israel and Palestine.
Reflecting on his time in office, Obama pondered what more he could have done to advance the peace process. He acknowledged the challenges he faced and expressed a desire for a forward-looking discussion on the matter.
Overall, Obama’s remarks shed light on his concerns about the unbearable conditions faced by Palestinians and the need for a comprehensive understanding of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
