U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has firmly rejected claims that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, while voicing deep sorrow over the suffering of civilians, particularly children, caught in the ongoing conflict.
Speaking during an appearance on “This Past Weekend with Theo Von,” Vance described the footage emerging from Gaza as heartbreaking and called for a balanced and humane approach to resolving the crisis.
Vance emphasised that the conflict affects innocent people on both sides, pointing out that Palestinian civilians and Israeli hostages alike are victims of the ongoing violence.
He said the U.S. government is striving to achieve two main goals: ensuring Israel’s security by preventing future attacks from Hamas, and delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population in Gaza.
Addressing the accusations of genocide, Vance said he does not believe Israel is engaged in a deliberate campaign to exterminate Palestinians.
He argued that the military actions are targeted against Hamas, a group recognised as a terrorist organisation, and not directed at civilians. “I don’t think the Israelis are purposely trying to go in and murder every Palestinian… war is hell,” he stated, adding that genocide implies a specific intent to destroy an entire people, which he believes is not present in this case.
Vance also criticised what he described as a lack of empathy on both ends of the political spectrum. He noted that while some on the left seem to ignore attacks on Israeli civilians, certain voices on the right are dismissive of the suffering of Palestinian children. “If you have a soul, your heart should break when you see a little kid who’s suffering,” he said, urging a more compassionate and inclusive perspective.
He defended U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has faced criticism from some pro-Israel figures, describing him as someone deeply committed to protecting both Israeli security and human dignity.
Vance pushed back against accusations that Witkoff is not sufficiently supportive of Israel, warning that such rhetoric damages efforts to build common ground.
Vance reiterated that the Trump-led administration aims to reduce violence by neutralising threats from Hamas while simultaneously ramping up humanitarian assistance in Gaza.
He acknowledged disagreements over calls for a permanent ceasefire, noting instead that the U.S. is working toward a temporary pause in hostilities, though this proposal has been rejected by Hamas.
In conclusion, Vance stressed that American taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability in how U.S. foreign aid is used.
He contrasted the current approach with what he called the Biden administration’s passive funding model in Ukraine, advocating instead for targeted, active diplomacy that addresses the root causes of conflict and promotes stability.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
