It has now been one month since the horrific attacks of October 7, perpetrated by Hamas on the people of Israel. 

At the White House press briefing Tuesday afternoon, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby took a number of questions on the  Israel-Hamas war, including questions regarding attacks on U.S. assets in the region, whether the response by the U.S. thus far is serving as a sufficient deterrent, and the U.S. position on the sovereignty of the Golan Heights. 

One reporter pressed Kirby on the seeming reluctance of the U.S. to criticize Israel, adding, "With due respect, John, some people think that you repeat what the Israeli Army spokesmen say...So, what's wrong with standing here and saying, when Israel does something wrong...why not criticize them?"

Kirby gave a fairly direct response to that, highlighting the reasons why the U.S. supports Israel's right to respond to the Hamas attacks and pointing to the fact that it is not Israel but Hamas that is the proponent of genocide. 

Kirby when pressed on the White House’s continued support for Israel:

"Israel has a right and responsibility to defend itself...we ought not forget what happened one month ago: 1,400 peopple slaughtered in their homes..." pic.twitter.com/cwDTFCMUfD

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) November 7, 2023

"I would just tell you that we're not going to react in near-real-time to every event. Israel has a right and a responsibility to defend itself. And we're going to make sure they have the tools and capabilities to do that. 

"Again, we're one month after this. And we ought not forget what happened one month ago: 1,400 people slaughtered in their homes, at a music festival. And when Hamas decided to conduct operations, it was with the intent of killing people. 

"You know, I heard this word 'genocide' tossed around — Hamas actually does have genocidal intentions against the people of Israel. They'd like to see it wiped off the map. They said so on purpose. 

"So that's what's at stake here. And we're going to keep making sure that Israel has the ability to do that. As for the voices, of course we respect all different voices and perspectives on this, and we know that there's a lot of...high emotion here when it comes to what's going on. We have never shied away from criticizing our friends and partners when we believe it's warranted, and we'll continue to do that."

The reporter pushed back, remarking, "I don't think anyone forgot what happened on October 7, but regardless—"

To which Kirby replied, "I'm not saying you did forget. I'm just saying it's all good for us...we should all be reminded of what happened, and it happened a month ago today."

As many differences as I may have with the Biden administration, I do think Kirby has done a decent job defending Israel and its right to defend itself and, in this case, batting down the notion that Israel is committing or promoting genocide while deftly pointing out that it is Hamas which has the eradication of Israel and its people as its stated aim.