WATCH: Kirby Shoots Down Arab Reporter Who Accused Israel of Violating International Law

WHITE HOUSE (VINnews) — John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, made scathing comments when confronted by a Palestinian journalist Tuesday, who accused him of parroting Israeli military leaders.

In response to claims that the Biden administration is covering up for Israeli war crimes, Kirby replied, “I heard this word genocide tossed around about. 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 — that’s what’s at stake here and we’re going to keep making sure that Israel has that ability to do that.”

During Tuesday’s White House press conference, Nadia Bilbassy, born and raised in Gaza and now works for the Saudi-controlled Al-Arabiya news channel, claimed that Israel was “in violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention” and asked why the Biden administration would not “embrace” those who want Israel to be admonished by the U.S.

“With due respect, John, some people think that you repeat what the Israeli army spokesman [is] saying,” she claimed. “It’s exactly what they’re saying, you’re repeating here. So, how can you — why not — [the dissenting] voices, not just understanding them and ‘we have a channel because we’re a democracy.’ Why not — what’s wrong with them?”

“What’s wrong with standing here and say when Israel do something wrong because you’re the best friend, you have leverage on them, why not criticizing them?” she asked.

Kirby replied, “Well, your question presupposes that we’ve made some determination that the law of armed conflict has been violated and I don’t think — we’re not at that point.”

WOW. John Kirby just completely dismantled the anti-Israel smears from WH reporter Nadia Bilbassy Charters of the Saudi-funded Alarabiya.

Al-Arabiya’s Nadia Bilbassy-Charters: “So why not embrace the dissent voices call for a balance between private and public message and… pic.twitter.com/FISSKjLeBB

— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) November 7, 2023

The reporter then asked if the U.S. disagreed with the UN’s claims.

“I would just tell you that we’re not going to react in near real time to every event,” Kirby responded. “Israel has a right and 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.”

Here is the full transcript:

Al-Arabiya’s Nadia Bilbassy-Charters: “So why not embrace the dissent voices call for a balance between private and public message and criticize Israel when actually it is in violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention. With due respect, John, some think people you repeat what the Israeli army spokesmen saying. It’s exactly what they’re saying you’re repeating here. So, how can you — why not — the dissenting voices, not just understanding them and we have a channels [sic] b/c we’re a democracy. Why not — what’s wrong with them? What’s wrong with standing here and say Israel do something wrong because you’re the best friend, you have leverage on them, why not criticizing [sic] them?”

John Kirby: “Well, your question presupposes that we’ve made some determination that the law of armed conflict has violated and I don’t think — we’re not at that point.”

Bilbassy-Charters: “So, that — you’re disagreeing with the U.N.?”

Kirby: “I — I would just tell you we’re not going to react in near realtime to every event. Israel has a right and 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 and 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 about. Hamas actually does have genocidal intentions against he people of Israel. They’d like to see it wiped off the map. They said so on purpose. So, that’s — that’s what’s at stake here and we’re going to keep making sure that Israel has that ability to do that. Now, 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. We also believe that — that — that — the — the best diplomacy, the best progress and diplomatic pursuits is to do it privately, and outside the public eye and we’ll continue to do that as well. We’ll continue to have the tough conversations with our good friend.”