The latest on Israel & Gaza: Biden calls for de-escalation
On May 6, Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli police in Sheikh Jarrah, a predominantly Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem where Palestinian families were facing eviction. In the following weeks, the death toll has amounted to over 200. On May 19, President Biden called for a de-escalation of violence. Prime Minister Netanyahu said he's "determined" to continue the offensive in Gaza.
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escalation of violence in jerusalem AND GAZA
On May 7, more than 200 worshippers at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque were injured by Israeli police. The mosque, known to the Jewish people as Temple Mount, has been at the center of religious conflict in the area. In response, Hamas, a Palestinian military group, launched rockets at Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv, to which Israel launched airstrikes on Gaza.
Question of UNITED STATES intervention
Without an ambassador to Israel, President Biden's path to intervention remains unclear. In response to criticism against the administration for not intervening, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said it's not the role of the US to "assess or analyze the politics on the ground in Israel" with regard to the recent violence in the region.
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
The international community has largely taken to social media to express their thoughts on the conflict, with celebrities and influencers chiming in. Many posts and videos that have gone viral on social media contain false claims, and some are bolstered by the Israeli government. Additionally, global human rights organization Amnesty International has weighed in on the issue, saying that Israeli airstrikes "may amount to war crimes."
