Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren called Palestinian protests on the Gaza border “a play for media attention” on Monday.
At least 37 people have reportedly been killed and 1,000 wounded as waves of Palestinians in Gaza have sought to cross into Israel as the U.S. opens its embassy in Jerusalem.
“Palestinians, stirred on by Hamas, burned down their own crossing, burned their own energy lines so they can cry humanitarian crisis to the world and have the world blame us. I hope that this time it won’t work. I hope someday the Palestinians in Gaza, like those in Judea and Samaria and the West Bank, will come to the negotiating table,” Oren told CNN’s Erica Hill on “New Day.”
{mosads}”Let me back you up for a minute there. Are you saying what we are seeing along the border is nothing but a play for media attention and it shouldn’t be covered that 25 people have died?” Hill interjected.
“No. You have to make your decision what should be covered, but it is certainly a play for media attention, and it is working stunningly. It works every week,” Oren responded.
“As we are speaking now the Syrian army is attacking the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, they’re killing hundreds, maybe thousands of Palestinians. Has CNN covered it? Has anybody covered it?” Oren asked.
“Does anybody care when Syrians kill Palestinians? It’s only when there’s conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, and Hamas knows this. And it knows if it sends kids to the border to break through the border Israeli soldiers have to defend that border that’s going to get media attention. It works very well,” he continued.
The new embassy’s opening is a fulfillment of one of President Trump’s campaign promises and a major break from the international community.
While Israel sees Jerusalem as its capital, Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the future capital of an independent state. Most other countries do not recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
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