Obama Condemns Hamas Attack In West Bank

An attack earlier this week by members of the Palestinian group Hamas that left four Jewish settlers in the West Bank dead was an act of “senseless slaughter,” said President Barack Obama on Wednesday.

Following a meeting between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu, the pair made brief remarks outside the Oval Office on the attack.

“I want everybody to be very clear,” said Obama. “The Untied States is going to be unwavering in support of Israel’s security and we are going to push back against these kinds of terrorist activities. And so the message should go out to Hamas and everybody else who is taking credit for these heinous crimes that this is not going to stop us from not only ensuring a secure Israel but also securing a longer lasting peace with the people throughout the region.”

The President added that the man he would be meeting with after Netenyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also condemned the attacks. Obama, however, said the ugly incident shows that Abbas has his work cut out for him.

“I have the utmost confidence in him and his belief in a two state solution in which the people of Israel and Palestinians are living side-by-side in peace and security. He has got a lot of work to do. There are going to be those who will do everything they can to undermine these talks.”