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John Kirby

News and updates about John Kirby

WH spokesman:

'Can't think of anything more offensive' than Ben-Gvir comment

White House spokesperson John Kirby called Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's assertion that President Joe Biden prefers "the line of" Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to that of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "offensive."

'Can't think of anything more offensive' than Ben-Gvir comment

John Kirby:

'An Israeli operation in Rafah would be a disaster'

White House spokesperson John Kirby says US will share with Israeli officials alternatives for eliminating Hamas in Gaza without a ground offensive in Rafah.

'An Israeli operation in Rafah would be a disaster'

John Kirby:

'Netanyahu can decide who he wants to talk to'

US National Security Council spokesman comments on Netanyahu's decision to speak to Senate Republicans via video: Support for Israel has been a long-standing bipartisan issue in this country.

'Netanyahu can decide who he wants to talk to'

John Kirby:

'Elections in Israel? The people will decide'

White House National Security Communications Advisor rejects assertions that Biden is calling for new elections in Israel: We are going to keep supporting Israel in their fight against Hamas.

'Elections in Israel? The people will decide'

Kirby on post-war plans:

'We don't believe in forced displacement of Gazans'

White House National Security Council Spokesperson asked about Israel's post-war plans: We have very consistent positions, we still hold to them.

'We don't believe in forced displacement of Gazans'

White House spokesman:

'No question Hamas is evil, it's not up for debate'

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby announces sanctions against Iran for supplying weapons to Russia, threatens more if Iran gives Russia ballistic missiles.

'No question Hamas is evil, it's not up for debate'

Kirby responds to UN official:

'Hamas is a terrorist organization, it just is'

White House National Security Communications Adviser responds to UN relief chief who stated that “Hamas is not a terrorist group for us”.

'Hamas is a terrorist organization, it just is'

White House reveals:

Russia obtained ‘troubling’ anti-satellite weapon

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby clarified that the weapon was not operational and could not be used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction on Earth.

Russia obtained ‘troubling’ anti-satellite weapon

White House:

'No plans to sanction Israeli government officials'

White House spokesperson John Kirby on sanctions against Israeli "settlers": A signal to the world that Biden takes settler violence seriously.

'No plans to sanction Israeli government officials'

White House spokesman:

'Israel is relying less on its Air Force in Gaza'

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby comments on tensions between Netanyahu and Biden: They don't always agree on everything but they have the kind of relationship where they can be frank and honest.

'Israel is relying less on its Air Force in Gaza'

White House:

'Biden maintaining open mind on two-state solution'

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says Biden understands “the need for some flexibility" when it comes to the format of an independent Palestinian state.

'Biden maintaining open mind on two-state solution'

White House:

'Biden welcomed decision to allow flour into Gaza'

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on conversation between Biden and Netanyahu: The President discussed his vision for a two-state solution.

'Biden welcomed decision to allow flour into Gaza'

White House spokesman:

'We're working on a new hostage release deal'

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says efforts are underway to achieve a new hostage release deal.

'We're working on a new hostage release deal'

'This case is unfounded':

US rejects allegations of genocide against Israel

White House spokesperson John Kirby: Genocide is not a word that ought to be thrown around lightly.

US rejects allegations of genocide against Israel

White House:

'US is not in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza'

National Security Spokesperson John Kirby clarifies Biden's comments, says ceasefire at this time would only benefit Hamas.

'US is not in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza'

White House:

'Biden didn't know Austin had cancer until today'

White House says Biden did not learn that his Defense Secretary had prostate cancer until the news of the diagnosis was disclosed to the public.

'Biden didn't know Austin had cancer until today'

John Kirby:

'UNRWA does important work'

White House National Security Council spokesman defends the work of UN agency for "Palestinian refugees".

'UNRWA does important work'

'Counterproductive':

White House blasts South Africa's lawsuit against Israel

John Kirby says Washington thinks South Africa's lawsuit at ICJ is "meritless, counterproductive, and without any basis".

White House blasts South Africa's lawsuit against Israel

White House spokesperson:

'We're not looking for a conflict with the Houthis'

National Security Council spokesperson makes clear the US isn't looking for a wider conflict, but will continue to act in self-defense.

'We're not looking for a conflict with the Houthis'

John Kirby:

'Israel planning to transition to different phase of fighting'

White House spokesperson says Israel assured the US it plans to transition to "lower-intensity" fighting in Gaza.

'Israel planning to transition to different phase of fighting'

White House spokesperson:

'Israel is protecting civilians in ways even we wouldn't'

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby highlights some of the steps the IDF has taken to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza.

'Israel is protecting civilians in ways even we wouldn't'

White House spokesperson:

'Israel is making an effort to minimize civilian deaths in Gaza'

White House National Security Council spokesman says Israel is listening to Washington's calls to minimize civilian deaths in Gaza.

'Israel is making an effort to minimize civilian deaths in Gaza'

White House NSC spokesman:

'PA not in a position right now to govern Gaza'

John Kirby told ABC News that the US is working on restoring the ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.

'PA not in a position right now to govern Gaza'

White House spokesperson:

'The pause ended because of Hamas'

White House spokesman John Kirby blames Hamas for end of the ceasefire in Gaza: They failed to produce a list of hostages.

'The pause ended because of Hamas'

White House NSC spokesman:

'Jerusalem attack another example of the threat Israel faces'

John Kirby says the US hopes to extend ceasefire into into 'an eighth, ninth, and tenth day, and beyond.'

'Jerusalem attack another example of the threat Israel faces'

Top White House official:

'The war won't be over after the truce ends'

White House official John Kirby speaks to US Jewish community leaders, says Hamas still poses a real threat to Israel.

'The war won't be over after the truce ends'

White House warns:

'Wagner Group plans to provide air defense system to Hezbollah'

White House says Russian mercenary group plans to provide an air defense system to Hezbollah or to the regime in Tehran.

'Wagner Group plans to provide air defense system to Hezbollah'

White House:

'We're closer to a hostage deal than we've been before'

WH National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby rejects accusations Israel committing genocide, calls for PA to rule Gaza.

'We're closer to a hostage deal than we've been before'

White House:

US has independent intelligence proving Hamas use of hospitals

Biden Administration for the first time supports Israeli narrative that Hamas uses hospitals in Gaza for military purposes.

US has independent intelligence proving Hamas use of hospitals

White House spokesman:

'Israel accussed of genocide? Hamas actually wants genocide'

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby defends Israel's right to defend itself, reiterates US support for Israel.

'Israel accussed of genocide? Hamas actually wants genocide'

White House:

'Saudi Arabia still interested in normalization with Israel'

White House spokesperson: Saudis interested in normalization with Israel, but all sides are currently focused on the situation in Gaza.

'Saudi Arabia still interested in normalization with Israel'

White House:

'Riot in Dagestan was reminiscent of a pogrom'

White House spokesman: Comparing airport riot in Dagestan to "pogroms" from previous periods in history is an apt description.

'Riot in Dagestan was reminiscent of a pogrom'

White House:

'We'd support pause in fighting to allow release of hostages'

White House spokesman John Kirby says US supports a pause in operations in Gaza in order for humanitarian aid to enter.

'We'd support pause in fighting to allow release of hostages'

White House spokesperson:

'Biden will not apologize for saying civilians will die in war'

Watch: White House spokesperson John Kirby fires back at reported when asked whether he thought Biden's comments on Gaza deaths are "harsh".

'Biden will not apologize for saying civilians will die in war'

White House spokesperson:

'Biden will be asking Israelis some tough questions'

White House National Security spokesperson John Kirby: Biden will be asking some tough questions as a true friend of Israel.

'Biden will be asking Israelis some tough questions'

Watch:

White House spokesperson in tears when asked about Hamas attack

US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby tears up during CNN interview as interviewer brings up Hamas attack on Israel.

White House spokesperson in tears when asked about Hamas attack

US official:

'Framework in place for Israeli-Saudi deal but nothing is final'

US National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby says compromises will be required to reach Israeli-Saudi normalization deal.

'Framework in place for Israeli-Saudi deal but nothing is final'

White House won't confirm Biden-Netanyahu meeting

"No meetings to speak to at this point", says White House official John Kirby when asked about reported meeting next week.

White House won't confirm Biden-Netanyahu meeting

US official:

'Iran deal is not done yet'

National Security spokesperson John Kirby says release of $6 billion to Iran as part of prisoner swap deal will be tightly controlled.

'Iran deal is not done yet'

US pushes back on Netanyahu's claim of White House visit

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby: We still anticipate Biden-Netanyahu meeting and it will be somewhere in the US.

US pushes back on Netanyahu's claim of White House visit

John Kirby:

'Thomas Friedman accurately conveyed where Biden's head is'

US National Security Council spokesman gives interview to Israeli TV on state of US-Israel relations following meeting with Pres. Herzog.

'Thomas Friedman accurately conveyed where Biden's head is'

Top White House official:

'Biden-Netanyahu meeting - probably before the end of the year'

US National Security Council spokesman: Biden's invitation does not mean the administration isn't concerned about judicial reform.

'Biden-Netanyahu meeting - probably before the end of the year'

US official:

'We do not support additional settlement activity'

White House official reiterates opposition to new construction in Judea and Samaria after Ben Gvir urges Evyatar residents to build more.

'We do not support additional settlement activity'

White House:

'We've long made clear our concerns about settlements'

US on reports that Israel will approve 4,000 new housing units in Judea and Samaria: We don’t want to see steps that only increase tensions.

'We've long made clear our concerns about settlements'

White House:

Russia looking to buy additional drones from Iran

White House National Security Council spokesman says Iran continues to provide Russia with attack drones.

Russia looking to buy additional drones from Iran

Top US official:

'Netanyahu visit to the White House will happen at some point'

White House national security spokesperson on Netanyahu visit: I expect the prime minister will visit at some point.

'Netanyahu visit to the White House will happen at some point'

White House:

'We are extremely concerned over Al-Aqsa clashes'

White House stresses need to "avoid further escalation" after clashes between police and worshipers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

'We are extremely concerned over Al-Aqsa clashes'

White House:

'Israel is a sovereign state that makes its own decisions'

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby says President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu have been friends for decades

'Israel is a sovereign state that makes its own decisions'

US welcomes freezing of judicial reform in Israel

National security spokesperson John Kirby says Biden is not worried that Israel could devolve into civil war.

US welcomes freezing of judicial reform in Israel

Top US official John Kirby:

'Israel remains a strong ally and a deep, deep friend'

White House National Security Council Coordinator says "our support for Israel’s security will remain ironclad."

'Israel remains a strong ally and a deep, deep friend'

White House spokesman: No Netanyahu visit 'on the timetable'

White House spokesperson John Kirby avoids questions on possible Netanyahu visit, lauds Israel's 'peace efforts.'

White House spokesman: No Netanyahu visit 'on the timetable'

US supports Herzog's judicial reform compromise

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby addresses President Herzog;s efforts to mediate a compromise on the judicial reforms.

US supports Herzog's judicial reform compromise

White House:

'No definitive conclusion on origin of COVID-19'

White House won't confirm report that the Department of Energy has determined a lab leak was the most likely cause of the COVID-19 pandemic.

'No definitive conclusion on origin of COVID-19'

Once again:

Russian FM causes uproar with Holocaust comparison

White House blasts Sergei Lavrov after he compared US approach to Russia with the Nazis’ effort to eradicate the Jewish people.

Russian FM causes uproar with Holocaust comparison

US 'deeply concerned' over Iran's nuclear progress

White House national security spokesman John Kirby: We will not allow Iran to achieve a nuclear weapons capability.

US 'deeply concerned' over Iran's nuclear progress

US officials:

'Russia may be advising Iran on cracking down on protests'

White House Press Secretary says there is concern Russia is advising Iran on suppressing protests.

'Russia may be advising Iran on cracking down on protests'

White House:

'Iranians are supporting Russian drone attacks on Ukraine'

National Security Council spokesman confirms Iran sent personnel to assist Russian troops in launching Iranian-made drones against Ukraine.

'Iranians are supporting Russian drone attacks on Ukraine'

White House spokesman:

'No imminent revival of Iran nuclear deal'

White House spokesman John Kirby says revival of 2015 agreement is not likely anytime in the near future.

'No imminent revival of Iran nuclear deal'

White House official:

'We are certainly closer to a deal with Iran today'

White House National Security Council spokesperson: Biden still believes a return to the nuclear deal is the best possible outcome.

'We are certainly closer to a deal with Iran today'

Top White House official:

'Biden understands concerns, but determined to rejoin JCPOA'

US National Security Council coordinator John Kirby argues that Iran deal would reinstate most strenuous inspection protocols on Iran.

'Biden understands concerns, but determined to rejoin JCPOA'