In a press conference, John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator at the American National Security Council, made his position clear on the use of the word “genocide.” According to him, the word is used “in a very inappropriate way”.
Kirby tells the reporter who asked about the genocide allegations against American President Joe Biden: “What Hamas wants, make no mistake, is genocide.” They want to wipe Israel off the map. You have said this publicly more than once and recently.”
He concludes: “Israel is not trying to wipe the Palestinian people off the map. Israel is not trying to wipe Gaza off the map. Israel is trying to defend itself against a genocidal terrorist threat. So if we start using that word, it’s fine, let’s use it appropriately.”
Activist Hillel Neuer published the excerpt from the video on his account at X, formerly Twitter.
At a time when moral clarity is needed, there is nothing more appropriate.
The post says:
“Question: Protesters call the president “Genocidal Joe.” Do you have an answer?
John Kirby: It’s freedom of speech. But the word “genocide” is used in a completely inappropriate way.
What Hamas wants is genocide, make no mistake. They want to wipe Israel off the map. You have said this publicly more than once and recently.
And they said they wouldn’t stop, what happened on October 7th will happen again and again.
And what happened on October 7th? Murder. Massacre innocent people in their homes or at a music festival.
These are genocidal intentions.
Yes, there are many civilian casualties in Gaza. Yes, the numbers are very high. Yes, many families are grieving. And yes, we continue to put pressure on the Israelis to be as careful and cautious as possible. This won’t stop, from the president down.
But Israel is not trying to wipe the Palestinian people off the map. Israel is not trying to wipe Gaza off the map. Israel is trying to defend itself against a genocidal terrorist threat.
So if we start using that word, it’s fine, let’s use it appropriately.”