John Kirby
Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing
Washington, DC
February 2, 2016
TRANSCRIPT:
1:37 p.m. EST
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2016/02/252074.htm#MIDDLEEASTPEACE
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QUESTION: All right. And then just the other thing – because this is
related, but it has to do with the discussion with Ban Ki-moon, his
criticism of Israel and the settlements – and I just want to get something
clear. What is the U.S. position on whether or not the Palestinians have the
right to resist Israeli occupation? While you condemn attacks and
terrorism – I understand that – does the U.S. have a view as to whether or
not the Palestinians should be allowed to protest or to contest the Israeli
policy?
MR KIRBY: Well, a couple of thoughts. What – there are and always should be
the ability for groups, whoever they are, to have an avenue to express their
concerns or to peacefully protest. We talk about this all the time and the
Palestinians are no different. I mean, that’s why the Secretary’s made so
many trips out there, to try to help foster the kind of dialogue – the
peaceful, diplomatic dialogue – between both sides to try to work through
these issues. So if you’re asking me, do we think that they have a right to
protest whatever action they find either offensive or dangerous or
counterproductive to moving towards a two-state solution, absolutely they
have that right and that ability to offer their views.
What we have also said, though, in the same breath, is that it’s not okay
for innocent people to be hurt in the process and for rhetoric to be spewed
by any side that would inflame those passions and encourage that kind of
violence. And so what we’ve said all along is we actually – we want there to
be a dialogue and a chance to peacefully discuss this. That’s difficult to
do when there’s still so much violence. And so what we want to see is the
rhetoric to come down, we want to see the violence obviously stop, so that
there are vehicles through which a peaceful dialogue can be had.
QUESTION: Right. So that applies to civilians, innocent civilians. What –
does that also apply to Israeli security forces as well?
MR KIRBY: We’ve said equally we want --
QUESTION: I guess this question has been asked here by some of my colleagues
before. It is a question of whether or not the Palestinians have a right to
defend themselves or to – in the face of whatever it is that the Israelis
are doing. And I think that what you’re saying is that they have a right to
peacefully protest, but they don’t necessarily have a right to go after – or
they don’t have a right to attack Israeli forces.
MR KIRBY: It’s not about – a question – it’s not a question of right. It’s a
question of – or privilege. It’s a question of – that the violence that’s
being visited is not – on both sides – is not contributing to what we want
to see, which is positive, affirmative steps to get to a two-state solution,
to get to some sort of peaceful dialogue. That’s where we want to see this
track go.
Okay. Thanks, everybody.
QUESTION: Thank you.
(The briefing was concluded at 2:19 p.m.)
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