GAZA: Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin on Thursday expressed concern over Israeli settlers’ violence against Palestinians and warned against actions that could incite insecurity. Lloyd Austin is currently visiting Israel.
US-Israel
At a joint press conference with Israeli Minister for Defence Yoav Galant, Austin said that Washington remained strongly opposed to any acts that could trigger and incite more insecurity, including expansion of settlement and provocative rhetoric. The US Defense Secretary said that they are especially disturbed by the wave of violence by settlers against the people of Palestine.
Thousands of people opposed to the Netanyahu-led government reform plans have blocked roads near Ben Gurion airport, Tel Aviv, compelling a last-minute change of location for the US Defense Secretary’s talks.
According to AFP, just hours before Austin’s arrival, Israel’s border police shot dead three Palestinians in the West Bank. And similarly, hours after his news conference, the shooting took place in Tel Aviv, leaving one of the injured in a very critical condition.
