On Wednesday, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller held a press briefing.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 [ Background noise ]
00:08 >> Just a little.
00:09 Someone in here playing with the height of this yesterday.
00:13 All right.
00:15 I do not have opening comments today.
00:18 So, Matt?
00:18 >> Yeah. So, before we get into the rest of the Middle East,
00:22 can you just give us an update if you have one or even
00:25 if you don't have one on what happened in Beirut?
00:27 >> So, yes. Earlier today, there was a shooting incident outside
00:31 of our embassy in Beirut.
00:33 One member of the embassy's local guard force was
00:37 seriously injured.
00:38 The gunman was arrested after the incident.
00:41 The U.S. Embassy remains in contact
00:43 with the Lebanese authorities as they investigate the incident.
00:46 In terms of embassy security,
00:48 the embassy was secured immediately.
00:50 We achieved full accountability of all official U.S. citizens
00:54 and locally employed staff and the embassy closed today
00:58 following the incident but plans to be open
01:00 for business as usual tomorrow.
01:01 >> Okay. Do you have any idea about who did it?
01:04 >> So--
01:05 >> You're relying entirely on the Lebanese?
01:07 >> So, we're-- the DSS is coordinated with the Lebanese
01:10 to answer that question.
01:11 We are aware that the incident--
01:14 the individual who was arrested was wearing what appeared
01:18 to be ISIS insignia but we are conducting a full investigation
01:21 with the Lebanese authorities into the actual motivations.
01:25 >> Thank you.
01:28 >> Yeah.
01:29 >> Same subject.
01:30 There have now been five people along with the shooter
01:33 that have been apprehended in Lebanon.
01:34 What do you say at this point?
01:36 Is there any indication indeed that there is some kind
01:38 of cell working against the embassy?
01:39 >> Excuse me as I got something--
01:41 >> Sorry.
01:41 >> -- stuck in my throat.
01:43 It's an ongoing investigation.
01:45 I don't want to get ahead of that.
01:47 Yeah.
01:47 >> Staying in the region, how worried are you with--
01:50 given the Israeli's prime minister's comments
01:53 on the northern front in Lebanon, how worried are you
01:56 that that could spin out of control at any time?
01:59 >> So, we do remain incredibly concerned about the risk
02:02 of isolation along the Israel-Lebanon border.
02:05 It's something we've been concerned
02:06 about since the immediate aftermath of October 7th.
02:09 And we have been engaged in intense diplomatic conversations
02:13 and intense diplomatic negotiations to try
02:16 to avoid that conflict from escalating beyond control.
02:20 Now, a few things.
02:22 One, number one, you heard me say this yesterday,
02:25 it is an untenable situation for Israel right now
02:29 that there are tens of thousands of Israeli citizens
02:33 who cannot return to their homes in the north of Israel
02:35 because it's not safe to do so because of the risk of--
02:38 not the risk but the reality of constant Hezbollah shelling
02:42 and drone attacks in the area.
02:43 That said, the government of Israel has long maintained,
02:47 privately to us, and they've said it publicly too,
02:49 that their preferred solution
02:51 to this conflict is a diplomatic one.
02:54 And we continue to pursue a diplomatic resolution
02:59 because we don't want to see that escalation of the conflict
03:02 which would just lead to further loss of life from both Israelis
03:07 and the Lebanese people.
03:09 And would greatly harm Israel's overall security
03:14 and stability in the region.
03:16 So, we've-- kind of two things.
03:19 One is this track we've been pursuing all along,
03:21 but then secondly, one of the reasons we think a ceasefire
03:25 in Gaza is so important is
03:27 because that ceasefire would unlock the potential for us
03:30 to actually achieve lasting calm in the north and is one
03:34 of the reasons we continue to pursue it.
03:35 Said.
03:38 >> Thank you.
03:38 Today--
03:40 >> I finally got whatever it was in my throat out, so hopefully--
03:43 >> I'm glad.
03:44 >> Hopefully I can be--
03:44 >> You can borrow my bottle.
03:45 >> I don't know if I'll be any more clear in my answers,
03:48 but hopefully I won't be choking on them.
03:49 >> All right.
03:50 We'll take it.
03:51 [Inaudible] Today marks the 57th anniversary
03:56 of the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem,
03:58 the West Bank and Gaza.
04:00 And just to give you some of the things that happened
04:03 on daily basis, they blew up two homes in Jelabon.
04:06 They, you know, there's a statement by the UN saying
04:10 that the killing of people
04:12 in the West Bank is unacceptable, 500 people.
04:14 And so on and so on and so on.
04:16 I mean, my question to you,
04:18 how long must the Palestinians endure?
04:21 Should they endure another 57 years of occupation?
04:23 Shouldn't-- Isn't it time for the United States of America
04:27 to make good on its so many commitments, so many times
04:31 over the decades that this occupation must end?
04:33 Or maybe you don't feel that this occupation ought to end.
04:36 >> So, Said, if you look at the work that we have been doing,
04:38 it is to establish an independent Palestinian state,
04:42 to answer the Palestinian people's legitimate
04:44 political aspirations.
04:45 One of the things you heard the President speak to in--
04:48 on Friday when he outlined this ceasefire proposal,
04:51 that is still pending with Hamas, is that we want
04:54 to resolve the immediate crisis in Gaza.
04:57 We want to see an end to the death and destruction there.
05:00 But then we also believe that the acceptance
05:03 of that proposal could lead us to long-term peace,
05:07 long-term stability, and of course, self-determination
05:09 for the Palestinian people.
05:10 >> Well, you know, looking at what this President has done
05:14 or former Presidents have done in terms of, you know,
05:18 exercising or leveraging the weight and the prestige
05:22 of the United States on Israel to make good,
05:26 to stop the settlement, you have not.
05:27 To end the killing, you have not.
05:29 I mean, you know, we see--
05:30 we see this war that has been going on for the past eight
05:33 months, which is just a small part of the past 57 years.
05:38 It has already-- already more than 40,000 Palestinians,
05:42 maybe more, have been killed.
05:44 Many of them women and children.
05:45 The entire Gaza is probably, you know, destroyed
05:49 or part of it is destroyed.
05:50 The same thing goes on and on every day in the West Bank,
05:53 which, you know, seems to have disappeared
05:55 from the radar screen.
05:56 So that is my point.
05:57 When will we see a real action by the United States of America?
06:01 >> So if you want to talk about how we are going
06:03 to use the influence of the United States and the prestige
06:05 of the United States, you have seen it over the past few days.
06:07 In working with Egypt and Qatar to negotiate a proposal
06:12 that Israel put on the table to achieve an immediate ceasefire
06:15 that we would work to try to turn
06:17 into long-term lasting peace.
06:18 And I would note, as I did yesterday
06:21 when you asked similar questions,
06:22 and as I did the day before when you asked similar questions,
06:25 the obstacle to that proposal getting
06:27 off the ground right now is not Israel.
06:29 It's not the United States.
06:31 It's not in the countries in the region.
06:32 It is Hamas.
06:33 I would also point you to the fact--
06:35 the work that we have been doing with the government
06:37 of Saudi Arabia and with our other Arab partners to try
06:40 to find long-term normalization of relations with Israel.
06:43 And one of the things that would be included
06:45 in normalization is a pathway
06:46 to an independent Palestinian state.
06:48 So the United States has been actively engaged
06:51 in this question, not just speaking to it from podiums,
06:53 not just giving speeches about it, but actively engaged
06:56 with partners in the region to try
06:58 to establish an independent Palestinian state to try
07:00 to take all the carnage of the past eight months,
07:03 all the death of the past eight months, and to come out of
07:06 that with real, tangible progress
07:08 to answer the Palestinians' legitimate hopes and aspirations.
07:11 >> One last comment.
07:13 We also see that the President
07:15 of the United States yesterday, this administration signing a
07:19 deal with Israel to get one more wing of F-35
07:22 that have been solely used in Gaza and nowhere else, you know,
07:26 giving $50 billion of arms and so on for this war to continue.
07:30 We've seen the President basically say
07:32 that Mr. Netanyahu wants this war to continue
07:36 for a political reason, then he backstrikes and so on.
07:38 I don't think these signals would in any way, you know,
07:43 sort of show the red eye, or as we say in Arabic,
07:46 or show the stick, so to speak, to the Israeli government
07:50 to end its atrocities in Gaza.
07:51 >> So a couple things.
07:53 First of all, when it comes to Israel's long-term security,
07:55 and when you referred to this negotiation
07:58 over providing F-35s, that is a commitment
08:01 to Israel's long-term security.
08:02 These are planes that would be delivered four years
08:04 from now in 2028.
08:06 We are committed to maintaining Israel's qualitative military
08:09 edge in the region.
08:10 That's something we're required to do by law,
08:12 and it's something we support, and something
08:13 that we will continue to do.
08:15 That said, we also are pursuing to an end
08:18 to the conflict in Gaza.
08:20 And as I said, despite the premise of your question,
08:25 it is not Israel that is the roadblock
08:27 to a ceasefire right now.
08:28 It is not Israel that is a roadblock
08:30 to hostages being returned.
08:34 Six hundred trucks a day of humanitarian assistance
08:36 coming in.
08:37 Palestinians being able to return, safely return,
08:40 to their neighborhoods, and eventually get
08:42 to the reconstruction of Gaza.
08:43 It is Hamas.
08:43 All that is on the table in a proposal that is sitting
08:46 with Hamas, as it has been sitting
08:47 with Hamas for six days now.
08:50 And we await their answer.
08:52 >> I'll accept the proposal.
08:54 >> Go ahead.
08:55 >> Can I follow up on that?
08:56 >> You just said it's with Hamas.
08:57 >> Please don't interrupt me.
08:58 You know, we've had -- Sam, we've had this conversation
09:02 before, please don't interrupt me.
09:04 Please don't interrupt your colleagues.
09:05 >> I'm not interrupting her.
09:06 >> Thank you.
09:06 >> I'm asking for clarification.
09:07 >> Sam, can I just follow up with my question, please?
09:09 >> Is Israel accepted?
09:10 >> I think you are interrupting her.
09:11 >> Okay. All right.
09:12 >> Go ahead.
09:12 >> Thank you.
09:13 Actually, a spokesman for Hamas just told Al Arabiya an hour ago
09:17 that they wanted a guarantee from the Biden administration
09:20 to make sure that Israel implement what the president has
09:23 asked for in the three phases.
09:25 Can you respond to that?
09:27 >> So, first of all, I'm not going to negotiate
09:29 with Hamas in public.
09:31 There is a proposal that has been transmitted to Hamas,
09:33 and we will await Hamas' response
09:36 through official channels.
09:37 I think that's the appropriate way
09:38 for these discussions to take place.
09:41 That said, Israel has made clear they are committed
09:43 to this proposal.
09:44 They made clear to us they were committed
09:46 to this proposal before they sent it.
09:48 They have made clear to us since they sent it
09:50 that they are committed to the proposal.
09:51 Now, that doesn't mean there aren't going
09:53 to be negotiations as we end -- well, I should say,
09:55 if Hamas accepts, it doesn't mean there won't be negotiations
09:58 as we get from phase one to phase two.
10:00 That is built into the negotiation process,
10:03 and I'm sure as we -- as we -- as -- if we get there,
10:06 as we make that transition, there are demands
10:07 that Hamas would have.
10:08 There are demands that Israel would have.
10:10 What we would do is push Israel to engage
10:13 in good-faith negotiations.
10:14 Qatar and Egypt have said they would push Hamas to engage
10:17 in good-faith negotiations,
10:18 and as long as those negotiations are going on,
10:20 the ceasefire would continue.
10:21 >> And I want to follow up on Lebanon.
10:23 I know that you gave the answer that the U.S. has been working
10:27 to de-escalate from opening a front in the north.
10:30 But the statements coming from Netanyahu
10:32 and his ministers are more extreme and more serious,
10:35 to the degree they're actually discussing it in the cabinet --
10:38 in the Knesset -- in the war cabinet tomorrow.
10:40 So do you believe that Netanyahu is trying
10:45 to open another front to escape any kind of accountability
10:48 by prolonging this war from Gaza to the north?
10:52 >> I'm not going to speak to what he may be trying to do.
10:55 I will just speak to what they have said their policy is,
10:57 both to us and publicly.
10:59 They have said for some time now that they will seek
11:01 to find a solution for Israelis to return to their homes
11:05 and neighborhoods in northern Israel.
11:07 They have said their preference would be
11:08 to resolve it diplomatically, but they were also prepared
11:11 to do so militarily.
11:12 We continue to prefer a diplomatic approach.
11:15 That's what we continue to pursue.
11:17 And as I said, it's one of the reasons we believe reaching a
11:20 ceasefire in Gaza is so important,
11:22 because it unlocks the potential of getting
11:24 that diplomatic resolution in the north.
11:26 >> And finally, the New York Times said
11:28 that Israel has spent $2 million on creating fake accounts,
11:32 trying to influence lawmakers and the U.S. officials
11:38 on their pro-Israel narrative.
11:40 How do you see this differently from what Iran, Russia,
11:45 and China will do when you accuse them
11:48 that they're interfering in U.S. election
11:50 and influencing U.S. politics?
11:52 >> So I've seen that report.
11:53 It's a press report, not a U.S. government report,
11:55 so I don't have any comment on the underlying facts.
11:57 But I will say we have very clear laws on the books
12:00 in the United States about foreign influence campaigns.
12:02 We enforce those laws vigorously,
12:04 and we expect everyone to comply with them.
12:05 Tom, go ahead.
12:07 Come.
12:08 >> Thanks, Matt.
12:09 The BBC is reporting today about the aftermath
12:13 of the al-Shifa raid by the Israelis, which happened
12:16 in a two-week period at the end of March.
12:18 Now, the Israeli government said that this was a precise
12:21 and surgical operation.
12:22 There was not a single civilian casualty.
12:25 Palestinian civil defense workers speaking
12:28 to the BBC say they found corpses of women, children,
12:31 individuals without heads, as well as torn body parts.
12:34 Another said signs of field executions, binding marks,
12:37 gunshot wounds to the head, and torture marks
12:39 on the limbs were observed on some of the bodies.
12:41 Has the U.S. government been looking
12:46 at this particular incident?
12:48 And if so, what is your view on what's taken place there?
12:51 >> So with respect to your report, I apologize.
12:53 I haven't read that story yet today.
12:55 And with respect to what we are looking
12:58 at without confirming any one incident, as we never do,
13:02 we have made clear that we are looking at a number
13:04 of incidents inside Gaza to assess Israel's compliance
13:11 with international humanitarian law,
13:12 and those assessments continue.
13:14 >> I mean, this particular case is the one you've been looking
13:18 at, I mean, this was a very significant raid.
13:20 And I think it's the importance of it was that the Israelis went
13:23 in once in the middle of November, pulled out,
13:27 and then they went back in several months later,
13:29 which is sort of indicative of perhaps military strategy,
13:34 but also this very significant number of dead people
13:37 in Palestinians described as mass graves.
13:39 >> So I will say with respect to military strategy,
13:42 you've seen us make the point that the fact that they had
13:46 to return to this location, as they've had to return
13:48 to other locations that they had said they had previously cleared.
13:52 Is a sign that in our view, you need more
13:55 than a military strategy for eventually ending this conflict.
13:59 You also need a political strategy as well.
14:01 With respect to the specific claims of what happened there,
14:04 I'm just not going to get
14:05 into which incidents we are assessing.
14:08 But I'll say we do have a number of incidents that remain
14:10 under assessment where we're looking at Israel's compliance
14:13 with international humanitarian law.
14:14 >> And can I just one final thing on this,
14:17 because it raises the wider point, which we talked
14:19 about before about the ban and the lack of ability
14:23 for international journalists to get into Gaza and the fact
14:26 that the Israelis and the Egyptians will not still allow
14:29 this despite, you know, large numbers
14:32 of humanitarian workers now being able to get in
14:35 and out and assess things.
14:36 What are the Israelis saying to you about what is the reason
14:39 that international journalists cannot find
14:41 out what is happening in Gaza?
14:42 Because these situations are a very good example
14:45 about the need for transparency
14:47 so that we can all understand what's going on.
14:49 >> So I'm loathe to speak for the Israeli government.
14:51 I know that they have said--
14:51 >> I just wonder what they're telling you.
14:52 >> I know, I know.
14:53 I know that they have said publicly there are safety
14:55 issues, but I don't want to speak for them.
14:57 I will-- what I will say is we have raised this issue
15:00 with the Israeli government at senior levels to make clear
15:03 that we think journalists ought to be able
15:05 to operate inside Gaza.
15:07 Now, of course, there are safety issues.
15:08 You have to have the ability for them to do
15:11 so without jeopardizing military operations.
15:13 That's standard when the military operate--
15:15 when any military operates in a conflict zone
15:17 and journalists are either embedded or in--
15:20 or they're actively covering.
15:22 But we think journalists ought to be able to cover the war
15:24 in Gaza and that includes journalists from outside Gaza.
15:26 A lot of what the world knows is happening in Gaza is precisely
15:30 as you point out, it's because of the work
15:32 that journalists do sometimes
15:34 with incredibly tragic consequences.
15:36 We support that work and we want to see it continue
15:38 and we think they ought to be allowed into Gaza.
15:40 >> But apart from safety issues which, you know,
15:42 media organizations are expert at working in war zones
15:45 and they make their own risk assessment decisions on this,
15:48 do you know of any good reason why international journalists
15:51 shouldn't be able to get into Gaza?
15:53 >> I'm just going to say on behalf of the United States,
15:55 we think they should be allowed into Gaza.
15:56 >> Jillian.
15:58 >> A question on Gaza and a question on Russia, if I may.
16:02 I was going to ask, I think my question still holds
16:05 up whether Hamas has responded formally or not in the last hour.
16:08 So it was six days ago that the President announced publicly
16:13 that the new ceasefire deal was on the table,
16:15 already agreed to by the Israelis.
16:17 I was going to ask if there's any concern or if this is just
16:21 as you would expect it to be that six days in,
16:23 there didn't seem to be any back and forth,
16:27 any movement on Hamas' side.
16:30 >> So a couple of things about that.
16:33 Number one, it sometimes takes a bit of time
16:38 to get an answer back from Hamas
16:39 because Qatar transmits a response
16:42 to the Hamas political officials who are not in Gaza.
16:45 They transmit it to SINWAR and the Hamas military wing
16:49 that are in Gaza for reasons you can imagine.
16:51 Communications with them are a little strained,
16:53 a little difficult, and it takes time to get an answer back.
16:56 That said, we don't think this ought to be a process
17:00 that takes a long time for Hamas to consider given
17:03 that the proposal that was submitted
17:06 to them last Thursday evening is virtually identical to one
17:09 that they said several weeks ago they would agree to.
17:11 So we would hope for a response from them as soon as possible
17:14 because the benefits that this proposal offers
17:17 to the Palestinian people are real, they're tangible,
17:20 they would be immediate, and so we think Hamas ought
17:22 to accept as quickly as possible.
17:23 >> Just for clarity, when you say a version that they agreed
17:28 to a few weeks ago, is that the one
17:29 that they spoke publicly about and said --
17:31 >> That Hamas did, correct.
17:32 >> -- they would agree to and then it fell apart?
17:33 >> Correct.
17:33 >> Next question is Russia.
17:36 Can I go to another topic?
17:37 >> Of course.
17:38 >> Well --
17:38 >> [ Inaudible ]
17:40 >> Yeah, go ahead and then we'll --
17:41 >> There's pretty widespread reporting now
17:44 that Russia is trying to essentially scare the
17:47 international community, but Americans in particular
17:51 off the Olympics.
17:52 So they're putting out fake terror warnings,
17:54 they're putting out reporting online that people are sort
18:00 of giving back their tickets and canceling flights
18:03 because it's going to be so unsafe to attend the games.
18:06 The French spoke out about this back in April, but it seems
18:10 like the efforts have ramped up.
18:12 I was just wondering if you had a message for Americans hoping
18:15 to attend the games --
18:18 >> So --
18:19 >> -- if there are concerns or if it's just wholly fabricated.
18:21 >> Yeah, I would say first of all, it's not surprising to see
18:24 that the Kremlin is seeking
18:25 to disrupt the games with disinformation.
18:27 We've seen them sow disinformation
18:28 across any number of fronts.
18:31 And it's especially not surprising
18:33 that they're doing it with respect to the Olympics
18:36 where their athletes are banned from competing
18:39 under the Russian flag because of the Kremlin's long history
18:43 of abusing fair competition in the Olympics.
18:46 When it comes to a message for people who want
18:51 to attend the Olympics, I think they should look
18:52 at the information that law enforcement puts out,
18:55 look at the information that the French government puts out.
18:57 We have been working with the French government for some time
18:59 to ensure a safe, secure Olympics,
19:01 and we'll continue to do so.
19:02 >> Thanks.
19:03 >> I just want to come back to Nadia's question
19:06 on the Lebanese -- Israel-Lebanon border.
19:09 So you're kind of asking us to, you know,
19:13 ignore the public statements of Prime Minister Netanyahu
19:16 and other members of the Israeli military that they're ready
19:19 to launch an offensive.
19:21 And, you know, behind the scenes, they tell you they don't
19:24 want a war, but are you --
19:29 could you say whether sort of the U.S. has intelligence
19:33 or is able to see whether Israel is actually preparing
19:37 on the ground for a possible offensive?
19:39 Because the language that they're using suggests
19:41 that they are.
19:42 >> So I'm not going to answer the second question
19:44 with respect to intelligence matters.
19:45 I will say -- and I also --
19:46 I don't think you should ignore what they say publicly.
19:49 What they say publicly is important,
19:50 but I will also say what they've said publicly
19:52 about this tracks what they have said privately to us.
19:55 They have made clear all along that they want
19:56 to resolve this situation one way or the other,
19:58 and they've said that to us in private,
20:01 using largely the same language that you've seen them use
20:04 in public, including the language
20:05 that you've seen them use in public over the past few days.
20:07 But they have also emphasized, and this has been in some
20:10 of their statements over the last few days as well,
20:12 that they want to see a diplomatic resolution,
20:14 but they are prepared for another option.
20:16 And so we are trying to avoid military escalation
20:20 in the north.
20:20 We are trying to pursue a diplomatic resolution.
20:23 But as I said, this goes back kind of to the situation
20:27 that we've been in since October 7th,
20:30 the longer the conflict in Gaza goes on,
20:33 the more risk there is of further regional escalation,
20:36 the more risk there is of escalation in the north
20:39 of Israel, more risk there is of that turning
20:43 into a full-scale conflict with Hezbollah,
20:45 the more risk there is of further conflict
20:48 in the West Bank, the more risk there is
20:51 of other proxy groups being drawn into the war,
20:53 as we saw flare up earlier in this,
20:55 early in the past eight months when we were dealing
20:58 with sustained proxy attacks in Iraq,
21:01 sometimes against U.S. forces and U.S. interests.
21:04 So we are continuing to try to manage that escalation
21:07 and prevent it from happening, but that's why,
21:09 that is just the fundamental,
21:11 I know I keep coming back to this answer,
21:12 it's why at a fundamental strategic level,
21:15 we are trying to pursue this ceasefire
21:16 because we do think it helps unlock region-wide stability,
21:20 it makes region-wide stability much more possible,
21:22 including in the north of Israel.
21:23 >> Right, but so this is a potential action
21:27 that Israel could take in terms of, you know,
21:31 crossing the border and escalating from their side.
21:34 When it comes to Rafa, we had this, you know,
21:39 you've been quite clear that the U.S. disapproves
21:41 of a full-scale operation in Rafa, so there's a sort
21:46 of a warning attached to that and there's a potential
21:49 for the U.S. to change policy towards Israel based on that.
21:52 But in the north, you sort of say you don't want them
21:56 to go in, but if they do, there's no sort
22:00 of warning attached to that
22:01 that you might actually change policy.
22:03 >> You know, I'm just not going to deal with a hypothetical.
22:05 I would note, though, that the statements
22:07 from the Israeli government saying that they are ready
22:09 for a military operation if necessary is different
22:12 than saying that they have made a decision
22:13 to conduct a military operation.
22:15 We are still in a place
22:16 where we believe they prefer a diplomatic solution.
22:18 That's what they've said to us and that's what we're pursuing.
22:20 >> Yeah.
22:20 >> Kylie.
22:21 >> Just to be clear on this, you said that, you know,
22:25 obviously you guys want the ceasefire in order
22:27 to avoid the risk of escalation in the north,
22:30 but the ceasefire wouldn't actually include any kinetic
22:34 potential operations in the north, right?
22:36 >> The ceasefire is an agreement between Israel and Hamas.
22:41 Obviously, the north is a different terrorist organization
22:43 as Belissino is a different process,
22:45 but we believe a ceasefire to the conflict
22:48 in Gaza unlocks the possibility
22:49 of further diplomacy in the north.
22:51 >> And then just when it comes to the proposal that's
22:54 on the table right now, obviously you guys have gone
22:57 to great lengths to try and pressure regional allies
23:02 and regional players to put pressure on Hamas
23:04 to accept the deal.
23:06 Many of them have put out public statements.
23:09 I'm wondering if the Biden administration feels
23:12 like these countries are doing enough privately
23:15 to pressure Hamas as well.
23:17 >> So, there are only a few countries in the region
23:20 that have relationships with Hamas.
23:22 >> Okay, fine.
23:24 >> Qatar and Egypt, do you think they're doing enough?
23:26 >> We do. We do.
23:27 We have seen them exert significant pressure on Hamas.
23:31 I'm not going to get into the details of that here.
23:33 We have seen both countries play, I think,
23:36 an incredibly important role in mediating this deal
23:39 and making clear that this deal is in the interests
23:42 of the Palestinian people and doing so appropriately.
23:45 >> And what -- can you just be a little bit more clear
23:49 about what the consequences for Hamas will be
23:51 if they don't accept it?
23:52 I mean, you keep saying they must accept it.
23:54 They must, but like, to what end?
23:55 >> Look, I think the consequences are
23:57 that the war continues.
23:58 I think that's very clear.
23:59 Without a ceasefire, the war will continue.
24:01 And --
24:02 >> They don't necessarily want the war to end.
24:03 >> Well --
24:04 >> So, that's not --
24:05 >> So, that gets to this question I've dealt with a bit
24:08 of the last couple of days, which is, it may be that Sinwar,
24:12 sitting in a tunnel, believes he's safe and so makes
24:14 that decision because he thinks,
24:15 "My personal safety is assured, and I don't care
24:19 about the Palestinian people who continue to die in conflict
24:22 and who continue to struggle from a lack
24:24 of humanitarian assistance because of all the barriers
24:27 and impediments to getting it in
24:28 and getting it properly distributed."
24:30 We can't make that decision for him, obviously.
24:32 All we can do is put a deal on the table that is
24:34 in the interest of the Palestinian people,
24:36 hope that enough countries in the world make clear
24:39 that Hamas ought to take this deal.
24:41 But ultimately, the responsibility
24:42 for that lies with Hamas.
24:44 And the responsibility for the consequences
24:46 if they don't accept this proposal, which,
24:49 as I have said, and I'll keep harping on it,
24:51 is nearly identical to one they said they would agree to.
24:53 The consequences rest with Hamas if they decline to now take it.
24:57 >> But will there also be consequences for Hamas outside
25:01 of the battlefield if they don't accept this deal?
25:04 >> What do you mean?
25:04 You mean for the Hamas operatives
25:06 that are not inside Gaza?
25:08 >> Yeah.
25:09 >> So look, Hamas is a designated terrorist
25:12 organization.
25:12 We have long made clear there ought to be consequences
25:14 for members of Hamas outside of Gaza who are engaged
25:19 in terrorist activities.
25:21 I don't have anything to preview at this time.
25:22 >> Okay. And then just one more line of questioning.
25:24 We've now seen, I think it's like nine or ten resignations
25:28 of State Department officials, USAID officials protesting this
25:34 administration's approach to the war.
25:36 I wonder if any of those resignations have had any impact
25:40 on the administration's policy.
25:41 >> So we certainly understand
25:43 that people have incredibly strong feelings
25:45 about this proposal.
25:46 That includes people, obviously, in senior officials
25:49 and senior officials in this government have incredibly
25:51 strong feelings about the conflict in Gaza.
25:54 And we listen to people.
25:57 We want to hear their opinions.
25:59 We want to hear the expertise that they bring to bear.
26:02 But ultimately, it is the president, the secretary,
26:07 other senior officials that make the decisions
26:08 about what the policy of the United States ought to be.
26:11 But I would say to all of those who disagree or have disagreed
26:16 with the policy that the United States has pursued,
26:19 look at the work that we have done to try
26:22 and get a ceasefire in Gaza.
26:24 To get the proposal that's on the table to the line
26:28 and then over the line.
26:29 This isn't work that started last Friday
26:31 when the president laid out this proposal.
26:33 This is work that has been going on for months to try to find a way
26:36 to get a ceasefire and bring a durable end to this conflict.
26:40 It is what we have been focused on.
26:41 It's not always apparent.
26:42 It's not always evident to the public.
26:44 But we have been trying to find a way to end this conflict in a way
26:49 that is durable and lasting, that doesn't ensure
26:52 that Israel is fighting another war against the Palestinian people
26:56 in three months or six months or even a year or two years,
26:59 and in a way that provides real security
27:02 for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
27:03 >> Can I just follow up on that?
27:05 >> Let me just--
27:05 >> Hold on a second.
27:06 >> Yeah.
27:06 >> You just said it doesn't ensure that Israel is going
27:09 to fight a war against the Palestinian people.
27:12 I thought the whole point was
27:13 that they're not fighting a Palestinian war.
27:14 >> It is a good correction.
27:15 It is a good correction, Matt.
27:17 I thank you.
27:17 It is a war against Hamas.
27:19 That unfortunately has had tragic consequences
27:21 for the Palestinian people, but of course.
27:22 >> Can I just follow up on a point that it wasn't,
27:24 I don't think, a slip of the tongue?
27:25 Because you've said this before in relation to Kylie's question,
27:28 which is that, you know, you say that Hamas and Sinai should bear
27:32 in mind that what should draw them
27:34 to a ceasefire is the Palestinian people are being killed.
27:37 But your position is that no civilians,
27:40 no Palestinian civilians should be being killed.
27:42 So why do you raise that point?
27:44 You know, as a point of pressure on Hamas?
27:46 >> It is a just a point of actual fact.
27:48 >> But this is a, this is, no, this is, the proposal.
27:51 >> Of course, of course.
27:53 >> But the fact you're raising it, the U.S. government raises
27:55 this as a point of pressure on Hamas.
27:56 >> The proposal on the table is a ceasefire.
27:59 A ceasefire to a war that has led to thousands
28:03 of innocent Palestinians being killed.
28:05 >> Yeah, and your position is that innocent civilians should
28:07 not be being killed.
28:08 >> Of course, of course.
28:08 >> Yet you raise this.
28:09 >> No, hold on, hold on.
28:10 >> You've done this before in terms of other U.S.
28:12 >> Absolutely they should not be killed,
28:14 but they are being killed in a war.
28:15 And we want to see, and we want to see that war end.
28:17 And if Hamas accepted the proposal, the war would come
28:21 to an immediate halt for at least six weeks,
28:22 and we would try to turn it into something more.
28:24 >> But it just feels rather contradictory.
28:25 If your position is that Palestinian civilians should not
28:28 be being killed, to raise that as a specific point of pressure
28:31 on Hamas to come to a ceasefire.
28:33 >> It is acknowledging the obvious reality,
28:36 the harsh reality of this conflict.
28:38 It is not at all an endorsement of the tragic consequences.
28:41 It is an acknowledge of reality.
28:43 The President talked about this, too.
28:44 We've seen tremendous death and destruction
28:46 over the past eight months.
28:47 We want to avoid that going forward, and the way to do
28:49 that is to get a ceasefire.
28:50 >> Two questions, Matt.
28:55 One, Egypt is unhappy over a rate of aid entering Gaza.
29:00 Do you have any comment on that?
29:01 Did they discuss this issue with you?
29:03 And any updates on Rafah?
29:05 >> So we have been engaged in conversations
29:07 with our Egyptian counterparts, as well as other counterparts
29:10 in the region for some time, really for months.
29:12 It's an ongoing conversation about how to increase the flow
29:15 of humanitarian assistance in --
29:16 through all crossings into Gaza.
29:21 I would say with respect to Rafah,
29:23 and this is obviously related, I spoke to this some yesterday
29:26 or the day before, maybe both.
29:28 We are engaged in ongoing conversations with Egypt,
29:31 with Israel, about how to reopen that crossing,
29:33 how to ensure that the crossing is administered not by Hamas
29:38 on the Gaza side of it, but by some other authority.
29:41 We're working through what that might look like
29:42 and how we would provide appropriate security.
29:45 I say we, not the United States,
29:46 but how there could be appropriate security provided
29:48 to ensure that the crossing is open and safely operated,
29:52 and those discussions are ongoing.
29:54 >> And second, the UAE president has received yesterday Taliban
30:00 interior minister who's on the terrorist list,
30:03 U.S. terrorist list.
30:04 Do you have any comment on that?
30:06 >> So I would just note
30:07 that member states hosting UN-sanctioned Taliban members
30:09 must seek permission for travel through an exemption process
30:13 as outlined by the UN 1988 sanctions committee,
30:17 and it's important that member states follow these procedures.
30:19 >> Did you discuss this issue with the UAE?
30:22 >> I don't have any conversations to read out.
30:23 >> Change of subject.
30:25 >> Let me just stick with -- I will come to you.
30:27 Yeah, go ahead.
30:28 >> Thanks, Matt.
30:29 So last week it was pretty widely reported
30:32 that Biden gave the green light to Ukraine to use U.S. weapons
30:36 on Russian territory.
30:37 Is that true?
30:38 >> With respect to targeting military targets just
30:41 over the border in -- outside Kharkiv.
30:46 >> Okay.
30:47 >> So across the Ukrainian border
30:49 into Russia outside Kharkiv.
30:50 >> And how far does that stretch into Russia?
30:52 >> I'm not going to get into exact details from this podium.
30:55 We've communicated them directly to the Ukrainian government,
30:57 but it was to allow the Ukrainians to defend themselves
31:01 from a changing battlefield
31:02 where Russia has rolled military equipment right
31:05 up to the Russian border and used that equipment
31:08 to shell civilians in Kharkiv.
31:10 And the Ukrainians in our assessment needed the ability
31:12 to be able to respond to that in a way that was appropriate.
31:15 And so we've granted them the authority
31:17 to target military targets just
31:18 over the Russian border in that area.
31:20 >> Are you concerned about potential escalatory risks?
31:23 >> I would say it is Vladimir Putin
31:25 that has continually escalated this conflict over and
31:28 over again, including by these latest actions.
31:30 And we think this is an appropriate response.
31:31 >> Right. So, well, your response,
31:33 you don't find escalatory?
31:34 >> We do not.
31:34 We will continue to take appropriate actions to respond
31:37 to what President Putin has done
31:39 to allow Ukraine to defend itself.
31:41 But again, it's Russia that's the aggressor here.
31:44 It's Russia that is rolling its military equipment right
31:47 up to the border and using it to shell civilian targets.
31:50 And we think it's appropriate
31:51 that Ukraine be able to defend itself.
31:52 >> I'm on Putin.
31:54 >> Go ahead.
31:54 >> Yeah. Thank you, Matt.
31:56 A couple questions on Iraq.
31:57 In recent days, the anti-American group is
32:00 in Iraq, targeted the U.S. brands
32:02 and U.K. brands, impact --
32:04 >> Can you speak up just a little bit?
32:05 I can barely hear you.
32:06 >> In recent days, the anti-American groups
32:08 in Iraq, they attacked U.S. brands and U.K. brands
32:12 in Baghdad, and they are calling for attacking the other brands
32:15 in other cities in Iraq.
32:16 Are you going to conduct an investigation into these attacks?
32:20 And what's your assessment on that?
32:22 Who do you blame for being behind these attacks?
32:24 >> So, I'm not going to speak to any investigation that we may
32:31 or may not undertake.
32:32 But I would say that the attacks on these,
32:36 what are essentially franchises
32:38 of U.S. companies harm Iraqi workers, Iraqi patrons,
32:43 and sometimes Iraqi capital that is being employed there.
32:47 And so, they are attacks against --
32:49 eventually against the Iraqi people.
32:51 And we think the Iraqi government ought
32:52 to take appropriate measures to respond to those attacks
32:56 and hold people accountable for them.
32:57 >> And then, today and yesterday,
32:59 the Iraqi Interior Ministry, they announced
33:01 that they arrested assailants,
33:03 including the members of security forces.
33:06 So, what concerns do you have when the security forces
33:10 in Iraq should protect the security of these companies
33:13 and brands, but they are getting involved
33:15 within the attacks into these brands?
33:17 >> Well, I would answer that by saying, whenever attacks
33:20 like these are carried out, whoever the perpetrator is,
33:23 it is appropriate that those individuals be held accountable.
33:27 And in this case, that's what the Iraqi government is doing,
33:29 and we want to see them continue to do it.
33:31 >> And last thing about the escalation in the region.
33:33 Today, the Iranian ROTC commander-in-chief said
33:37 that the Israelis should wait for our response
33:39 over the attacks that happened in Aleppo.
33:41 What concerns do you have about that?
33:44 >> I would just say broadly that we want to continue
33:46 to avoid further escalation.
33:48 Go ahead. Yeah.
33:49 Yeah, you.
33:51 Go ahead.
33:51 Sorry.
33:53 >> Thank you.
33:54 Today, a group of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian
33:57 journalist Saif al-Kawazmi and journalist Nir Hassan
33:59 of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz,
34:01 who was protecting al-Kawazmi
34:03 in Jerusalem during the nation's flag march.
34:05 So, first thing, I'm just wondering
34:07 if the U.S. has any response to this attack
34:08 on our press colleagues.
34:09 >> So, attacks of that nature should be prevented
34:13 when possible, and when they can't be prevented,
34:15 they should be fully prosecuted.
34:17 People should be held accountable under the law.
34:19 >> Okay. And then following up on Nadia's question
34:21 on the New York Times and Haaretz reporting,
34:23 a little over two months ago, the U.S. announced sanctions
34:26 on Russians for creating false websites
34:28 and then using fake social media accounts
34:29 to amplify misleading content.
34:31 So, similar to what the government
34:33 of Israel has reportedly carried out.
34:35 And, of course, the U.S. has taken similar stances
34:37 over the past few years.
34:38 So, I'm wondering, I know that you said the U.S. has laws,
34:40 you expect compliance.
34:42 Will U.S. take similar action here?
34:45 >> So, as I said in response to Nadia's question,
34:49 right now we have a news report.
34:52 It's not U.S. government information.
34:54 So, I'm not going to speak to it specifically.
34:57 But I think I'll leave it at that.
34:59 And as I said, though, we do have laws
35:00 that we vigorously enforce.
35:02 And we expect people to comply with them.
35:04 >> Sure.
35:04 >> Does that mean that when the question was asked
35:07 about the Russians and the Olympics in Paris,
35:11 that you do have your own independent information?
35:15 Because you gave a fairly detailed answer to that.
35:19 >> We do have information as it relates to that, in fact, yes.
35:23 >> So, there is a U.S. government report lurking
35:25 out there about the Russians?
35:27 >> There is information that we have engaged with our allies
35:31 and partners with respect to that report.
35:33 And I think I'll leave it at that.
35:34 >> Okay. But in this case, though, this specific case
35:38 that you're being asked about now, there is nothing.
35:40 >> Not that I am aware of.
35:41 >> If the U.S. does find that this reporting does bear out,
35:48 and this is not meant to be like a hypothetical, this is meant
35:50 to be more of a commitment towards norms, will the U.S. act
35:54 in accordance with how it has before,
35:55 how it has with Russia?
35:56 >> So, it is somewhat of a hypothetical,
35:59 only because you have to actually look at the facts
36:00 of every case and see what the appropriate response is.
36:03 But as is always the case, we look at violations of our law.
36:06 A lot of that is carried out by other agencies
36:09 within the United States government
36:11 and develop the appropriate response.
36:12 But I just, I can't respond with any level of detail here
36:15 because it is always very fact specific.
36:17 >> Okay. And then finally, it's, I know I've asked about this
36:19 before, but I'll probably keep asking about it.
36:21 It's been 128 days now since Indrajab was killed,
36:23 the Maddox and Sabre were killed.
36:24 Family members, is there an update into this investigation?
36:27 >> Let me get you an answer on that and come back to you.
36:30 >> Can I say in the disinformation space?
36:32 >> Yeah.
36:32 >> There was the video of you at the podium.
36:36 >> I saw that.
36:37 >> That was circulated over the weekend, a doctored video
36:40 of you speaking about the Ukrainians potentially hitting
36:42 Russian cities.
36:44 Does the U.S. now know who created that video?
36:49 >> We don't have an official assessment.
36:51 It's something that we are continuing to assess
36:53 to find the actual provenance of that video.
36:57 As I said in the response I gave to the New York Times,
37:00 we have seen the Russian government execute videos
37:04 like this in the past and use disinformation
37:07 to fool their own people as well as people of other countries,
37:10 but we don't have an assessment of this official video.
37:13 I will say, just as a warning to everyone, if you see a video
37:16 of me at the podium and my tie color and shirt color change
37:21 from the time I'm asked a question
37:22 to the time I answer, it is probably a good indication
37:26 that it is not real.
37:27 >> And that leads me to a second.
37:29 >> Yeah, it's magic.
37:30 It's magic.
37:31 It's also occurred to me
37:32 that if I could get an AI version of myself,
37:34 I could avoid a lot of Zoom meetings.
37:36 >> Is the assessment that this was,
37:38 that whomever created this video used AI
37:41 or that it was just doctored video?
37:43 >> So I don't have an official assessment.
37:45 It's something that people with a lot more technical expertise
37:48 than myself are looking at at this point.
37:51 I think clearly some of the video was from me
37:53 at the podium.
37:53 Whether the video itself was doctored, not exactly clear.
37:57 The audio is not me at all,
37:59 whether it was spliced together clips from,
38:00 I shouldn't say it's not, whether it's spliced together
38:03 clips from me saying one word and put together
38:06 in different ways or it's an AI version, we don't yet.
38:08 We don't yet.
38:09 >> Okay. And then.
38:11 >> Is it on there right now?
38:12 >> I think so.
38:13 It seems to be.
38:15 Has my shirt and tie changed halfway through the briefing?
38:18 I think that's the test.
38:20 >> Just last question.
38:21 >> There are also a couple of words and phrases you can ask me
38:24 that reveal my Texas accent that I doubt an AI could duplicate.
38:28 >> How does this, you know, seeing this video out there,
38:32 are you expecting to see more doctored videos
38:36 of this type leading up to the US elections?
38:38 How are you guys preparing for that?
38:39 I mean, you still, you know, it's been six days now.
38:42 You don't know who created it.
38:43 You don't know exactly if it was doctored or AI.
38:46 Like how do you respond more quickly in a way that.
38:48 >> It is something that we are extremely concerned about.
38:52 You have seen doctored videos of the president in the past.
38:56 You saw an AI generated video of the president several months ago
38:59 that appeared in Africa.
39:00 It is something that we are working on as part
39:04 of our broad efforts to combat disinformation.
39:06 The best thing that we can do is try to put
39:08 out reliable information to the people of the United States,
39:13 the people of the world every day, and to quickly call
39:17 out disinformation when we see it.
39:19 That said, in some ways, some of these, there is no perfect answer.
39:22 For example, with this Russian video, it was circulating
39:24 on Telegram inside Russia.
39:26 No good way to combat that.
39:28 But when it comes to videos that are circulating in the US,
39:32 in the West, we will continue to pursue a strategy
39:37 of identifying those when we see them, calling them out when we see them,
39:40 and trying to be present ourselves,
39:43 communicating what our actual positions are
39:45 to somewhat counteract disinformation.
39:49 >> Thanks.
39:51 >> Yeah, Alex.
39:52 >> Thank you, Matt.
39:52 A couple of questions.
39:53 On the Ukraine question, are you seeing any initial impact
39:56 on the battlefield besides how nervous the Russians have become?
39:59 >> I'm not going to make battlefield assessments here.
40:03 We have, you know, I will defer.
40:05 I think the question is, if I'm understanding correctly,
40:09 is with respect to the use of weapons across the border.
40:12 I'm going to leave it to the Ukrainians to make assessments about that.
40:15 >> Thank you.
40:16 I'm going to ask, I'm struggling to understand, to define actually,
40:19 the current state of your relationship with Georgia.
40:21 I know you told us that Secretary requested a review,
40:25 and the ambassadors here presumed for the chiefs of the mission summit.
40:30 But then I look at the Georgian media, you know, only in the 24 hours, you know,
40:33 GDF officials, PM himself, managed to attack on the US, you know, the US Congress,
40:40 you know, those who testified yesterday on the Hill, they called, he called them traitors.
40:44 He appreciated China for the relationship.
40:47 He pushed another law, which at this time, you know, homophobic law.
40:52 Have you downgraded the relationship?
40:54 If not, why not?
40:55 >> So, Alex, this is not the first time that the pace
41:00 of our reviews have not met your demands for a four or five or six day turnaround.
41:05 We announced a review less than two weeks ago of our relationship,
41:09 given the law that Georgia has passed.
41:12 And I'm being a little flippant in response to your answer,
41:17 but it's because there are actual serious policy ramifications here.
41:20 Not just rhetoric, it is about the amount of assistance that we provide to Georgia,
41:25 some 390 million that was budgeted over the past few years that is under review.
41:29 It is about potential sanctions, visa restrictions that we announced as a policy less
41:35 than two weeks ago that we are studying right now, whether and how and when to implement.
41:41 So, you will see more from us, you will hear more from us as regards to this question,
41:45 but I'm not ready to do so today.
41:46 >> The review at what level?
41:48 At the ambassador level?
41:49 >> It was, so it was the Secretary of State that announced this review.
41:52 Ultimately, it is conducted by others in the State Department in consultation
41:59 with our colleagues across the interagency.
42:00 The Secretary will make decisions in consultation with those same colleagues.
42:03 >> Thank you.
42:03 Moving to Azerbaijan.
42:04 They arrested another permanent economist and journalist, Farid Meharzadeh,
42:10 as part of the investigation on Apsos Media, even though there are facts
42:15 that he's not even related to that news organization.
42:17 Do you have any reaction?
42:18 >> So, we are deeply troubled by the continued arrests of members of Azerbaijani civil society.
42:24 Those who exercise their fundamental freedoms, including freedom
42:26 of expression should not face arrest for doing so.
42:29 And we continue to urge the Azerbaijani government to immediately release all individuals
42:34 who are unjustly detained and to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all.
42:38 >> Thank you.
42:39 I have one more.
42:40 >> Let me just go.
42:41 Go ahead.
42:41 >> In the last couple of hours, there has been a series of Congress [inaudible]
42:44 to Prime Minister Modi and his coalition government.
42:47 They're including phone call by President Biden, tweet by Secretary Clinton.
42:51 Is the U.S. planning to send any delegation
42:54 for Prime Minister Modi's swearing-in ceremony over the weekend?
42:56 >> I don't have any announcements to make today, but stay tuned.
42:59 We'll have something to say about that in the coming days.
43:01 >> And from the perspective of Secretary Blinken, what are the key priority areas
43:04 for India-U.S. relationship for the next government?
43:06 >> So we will continue to look to expand our partnership.
43:10 We work with India on economic matters.
43:12 We work with them to deepen people-to-people ties between our two countries.
43:16 And of course, we work with them on a free, secure, prosperous Indo-Pacific,
43:21 and those will continue to be our priorities.
43:23 >> Now, the U.S. is also headed into an election season,
43:26 and India-U.S. every year have their annual 2+2 dialogue.
43:30 Do you think you have enough time between now and November to hold that 2+2 dialogue?
43:34 >> So I don't have any announcements to make with respect to that dialogue,
43:36 but it is an important priority for us.
43:38 It's an important priority for the Secretary, and we will continue to hold it.
43:40 But in terms of when it will happen, I can't tell you, Siddhant.
43:43 >> Thank you.
43:43 >> Go ahead.
43:44 >> Thank you.
43:44 The last decade, of course, has been Prime Minister Modi's administration.
43:49 What were, you know, were the advantages of the last 10 decades?
43:53 And going forward, you know, the third term for Prime Minister Modi,
43:57 what advantages does the U.S. see in this relationship?
44:00 >> So I'm not going to speak to that in terms of the Prime Minister's coalition
44:07 and the different government.
44:08 Those are all choices for the Indian people to make,
44:10 and we respect the will of the Indian people.
44:12 I will say that we will look to continue our work with Prime Minister Modi,
44:16 as you've seen President Biden undertake since he took office.
44:19 That will continue to be a priority through the issues I just spoke to a moment ago.
44:23 >> And now that the electoral test is over, you know,
44:26 a lot many people doubted democracy in India.
44:29 What is the U.S.'s take on the democracy and the way the elections have played
44:34 out and the results have played out?
44:35 >> So India is, of course, the world's largest democracy, and the election that just played
44:39 out over the last six weeks was the largest exercise of democracy in the history of the world,
44:45 and we commend the government of India, voters,
44:47 and poll workers for this massive undertaking.
44:49 Go ahead.
44:50 >> Thank you so much.
44:51 As you called largest democratic practice for Indian elections, but there's a dark side
44:57 as well, maybe overlooked by the Department of State.
45:00 So from these elections, we have seen two jail leaders got more votes than anyone else.
45:06 From South Kashmir, Engineer Rashid, that is in Tehar jail, got more votes,
45:11 and he defeated the former chief minister in the Kashmir region,
45:15 and then a believed separatist leader, a Khalistani leader maybe.
45:19 So Amit Pal, he got more votes.
45:22 So both are in jail, and they got more votes from their people.
45:26 So how do you see their victories specifically, and will U.S. consider
45:31 or recognize the election in the internationally disputed region, Jammu and Kashmir,
45:36 where from August 15, August 5, 2019, India unilaterally attempt to change its demography?
45:44 >> So I'm just not going to comment.
45:46 With respect to the first, I'm just not going to comment on internal Indian electoral
45:51 or political issues with respect to the second.
45:53 Let me take the question and get you an answer.
45:54 Go ahead.
45:55 >> Good afternoon.
45:56 Joe Donnelly leaving the position as U.S. ambassador to the Holy See July 8th,
46:01 how quickly do you anticipate that position being filled?
46:04 >> So I don't have any announcements to make, but Joe Donnelly had an incredible tenure
46:08 in that position, and we'll look to fill it as quickly as possible.
46:10 >> And will the new ambassador, I know you can't say when, but do you think one will be
46:14 in place before the presidential election in November?
46:16 >> Look, I just can't speak to that.
46:18 We will look to have a new nominee as soon as possible, but it's hard to answer that question
46:22 because you've seen the Senate at times move quite slowly on some of our nominees,
46:26 and over the last few days, you've seen senators announce
46:29 that they would obstruct any nominee that the president makes.
46:32 So we would urge those who wish to see our ambassador nominees confirmed quickly to weigh
46:39 in with those senators who said they're going to block them.
46:41 >> Any names being floated there you can share right now?
46:44 >> I'm not going to, certainly not going to speak to that.
46:45 >> And finally, the job requirements, what are the requirements you're looking for in the job?
46:47 I'm not running, I'm not applying, obviously, but looking for the requirements that you're searching.
46:51 >> It's in an application, it's open to one and all.
46:53 We look to someone who can faithfully represent the interests of the United States.
46:57 Go ahead, and then we'll wrap for today.
46:59 >> So Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to address Congress for the fourth time.
47:04 He'll be the first world leader to do so.
47:06 How does that, is that reflective of U.S.-Israeli relations?
47:10 >> So we do have, as I've spoken to many times from here in the past,
47:14 a longstanding partnership with the Israeli government, and there are deep-standing people
47:19 to people ties between the American people and the Israeli people,
47:22 and as it pertains to a speech to Congress, ultimately that's a matter for Congress.
47:26 With that, we'll wrap for today.
47:27 >> Thank you.
47:27 >> Thanks.
47:28 >> And one more.
47:28 >> Okay, one more.
47:29 >> Sorry.
47:29 >> Okay.
47:29 >> Thanks.
47:30 Thank you.