Obama Supports Palestinian State Recognition, Condemns Gaza Crisis

Former U.S. President Barack Obama has expressed his support for the recognition of Palestine as a state and strongly condemned the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In a statement released by his office, Obama stated that "it is unacceptable to ignore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza," and emphasized the need to find a solution that ensures both a secure Israel and an independent Palestinian state.

His comments came at a time when tensions were running high at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Speaking in Dublin, Ireland, on Friday, Obama stated, "At this moment, we cannot allow children to go hungry. There is no military rationale for further destroying Gaza, which has already been reduced to rubble."

Obama also criticized Israel's continued military actions in Gaza. He explained that he had been unable to maintain a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to disagreements on policies. "We didn’t always agree on everything, and sadly, sometimes leaders and politicians sustain a selfish ‘us vs. them’ mentality, which makes it easier to stay in power," Obama said.

Earlier, Obama had called for immediate action to prevent a "preventable" famine in Gaza, stressing that the necessary steps for a permanent solution must include the return of all hostages and the cessation of Israeli military operations. He underlined the urgency of allowing aid to reach the people of Gaza, emphasizing that there is no justification for withholding food and water from civilians.

In the same session at the U.N., Netanyahu's speech was met with protests from representatives of several countries who walked out in response to his position on the recognition of a Palestinian state.