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'Did you say this to Ukraine too?': Barack Obama's message to Israel and Palestine splits Internet

Former President Barack Obama opened up about the Israel-Gaza conflict in an article on Medium

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Barack Obama spoke out about the deadly conflict in the Middle East in an article on the online platform Medium, on Monday, October 23.

He reiterated Israel's right to defend itself against violence like the attacks inflicted by the militant group Hamas but also warned that any Israeli military strategy “that ignores the human costs could ultimately backfire.”

The statement comes ahead of the Israeli military's expected ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. Israel is massing troops around the region in preparation for what could involve heavy urban combat in the densely populated territory.

The balanced stance of Barack Obama

In his statement, the former president said that the dire outcomes of cutting off food, water, and electricity in Gaza could “further harden Palestinian attitudes for generations, erode global support for Israel, play into the hands of Israel’s enemies, and undermine long term efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.”

While arguing for the continued support of Israel against Hamas by the United States, Obama urged the Israeli military to abide by "international law, including those laws that seek to avoid, to every extent possible, the death or suffering of civilian populations.”

“Even as we support Israel, we should also be clear that how Israel prosecutes this fight against Hamas matters. Already, thousands of Palestinians have been killed in the bombing of Gaza, many of them children,” he wrote.

Barack Obama reiterates two-state solution

According to Obama, actively opposing antisemitism in all its forms includes "recognizing that Israel has every right to exist; that the Jewish people have claim to a secure homeland where they have ancient historical roots; and that there have been instances in which previous Israeli governments made meaningful efforts to resolve the dispute and provide a path for a two-state solution — efforts that were ultimately rebuffed by the other side."

"It means acknowledging that Palestinians have also lived in disputed territories for generations; that many of them were not only displaced when Israel was formed but continue to be forcibly displaced by a settler movement that too often has received tacit or explicit support from the Israeli government," he added.

“That is the best and perhaps only way to achieve the lasting peace and security most Israeli and Palestinian families yearn for.”

He mentioned that some Palestinian leaders “who’ve been willing to make concessions for a two-state solution have too often had little to show for their efforts.”

Hinting at the tendency of Israeli hard-liners to broadly accuse the Jewish state’s critics of antisemitism, Obama called for no tolerance of antisemitic, anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian rhetoric, writing, "it is possible for people of good will to champion Palestinian rights and oppose certain Israeli government policies in the West Bank and Gaza without being anti-semitic."

Barack Obama backs the Biden administration's policy

The former president stated that it is understandable that "many Israelis have demanded that their government do whatever it takes to root out Hamas and make sure such attacks never happen again," in the wake of the deadly Hamas attack on October 7.

However, he pointed out that Hamas’s military operations “are deeply embedded within Gaza — and its leadership seems to intentionally hide among civilians, thereby endangering the very people they claim to represent.”

Obama claimed that Israel’s decision to allow relief trucks into Gaza was “an encouraging step,” but more needs to be done by the international community to accelerate the delivery of critical aid.

The article ended with links to news, analysis, and opinion articles that, according to Obama, provide “useful perspectives and background on the conflict.”

Internet divided over Barack Obama's take

Netizens have shared their take on Obama's statement on X, and the following tweets paint a picture.

"Very well written and spoken, as a President should be. It just hasn’t been the same since you left office."

"Your Middle East apology tour gave the Muslim Brotherhood wind in their sails. You ignored the Iranian people's cries for reform during the Arab Spring. SIT THIS OUT."

"I just wish for the people here to be peaceful and warm. Whatever nation they are, they have the right to freedom and happiness".

"Nice statement. But could’ve done without the pontificating and lecturing Israel."

Memes like this one also trended.