Kirby’s avoidance of answering questions about the Gaza ceasefire

White House National Security Adviser John Kirby avoided answering questions about whether US President Joe Biden believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hindering peace amid the war in Gaza.

According to The Hill, Fox News Sunday host Shannon Bream pressed Kirby about Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s speech last week in which he called on Israel to hold new elections.

Brim further said: Biden later announced that Schumer gave a good speech. Does the president believe that Netanyahu is an extremist, an obstacle to peace, and should side with Hamas?

Kirbi replied: There are certain aspects of following the operation in Gaza that we clearly do not agree with everything that Israel has done.

He added: But they have a relationship that they can talk to each other. He is the Prime Minister of Israel and we respect the sovereignty of the Israeli people.

Kirby also answered the question whether Biden believes that the new prime minister should replace Netanyahu, saying that it depends on the Zionists themselves.

Kirby said: “The president believes that it is up to the people of Israel and the government of Israel to determine if and when new elections will be held.”

This is while Kirby had previously claimed that Washington was opposed to establishing a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza because it would give credibility to the Hamas operation on October 7.