USDoS confirms baby killed in Jerusalem was American citizen – USDoS press briefing/Non-UN document (excerpts)

Jen Psaki
Spokesperson
Daily Press Briefing

Washington, DC

October 23, 2014

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ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS

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TURKEY/ISRAEL

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TRANSCRIPT:

1:42 p.m. EDT

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QUESTION: I just wondered if you could clear up from yesterday the car ramming, the incident that happened in Jerusalem yesterday. I saw the statement you put out last night. You said that the child was reportedly an American citizen. Are you able to confirm or definitively say that the baby wasn’t American or that anybody in the attack was —

MS. PSAKI: The baby was an American citizen, yes.

QUESTION: Was?

MS. PSAKI: Yes.

QUESTION: Was, okay.

QUESTION: And the parents?

MS. PSAKI: Let me check and see. One moment here. I just want to make sure I have all the information in front of me. Let me see, Lara. We just don’t have Privacy Act waivers, so let me just check and see what more we can provide publicly.

Do we have any more on the – on Israel or —

QUESTION: Do you have any more – well, do you have any more information about the circumstances of what happened and —

MS. PSAKI: I don’t, other than to say that our officials in Jerusalem and our consulate there are in close touch with the family. They’re providing consular assistance. Out of respect for and privacy certainly for those who are affected, we’re not going to be sharing much more publicly.

QUESTION: Are you involved at all in the investigation?

MS. PSAKI: That would certainly be an investigation led on the ground, not by the United States.

QUESTION: I’m not making any relation, but there’s been some concern over the last week or two about comments by President Abbas that believe to have incurred incitement. And are you concerned about that? You haven’t really spoken out about that. Do you in any way feel that this is inciting Palestinians to take actions into their own hands?

MS. PSAKI: Well, I think, Elise, one, I mean, we obviously believe that the act last night warrants condemnation evidence by the statement we released last night. I’m not going to characterize the comments made or not made by President – Prime Minister Netanyahu or the response from President Abbas.

QUESTION: Well, if you haven’t really received a condemnation from President Abbas, then don’t you think you should offer one?

MS. PSAKI: I think our view of it is clear by – evidenced by our statement last night. I would point you to him on any comments that they would like to make.

QUESTION: But what about his comments, like, over the past – I mean, there has just been several comments that people have remarked about that seem to be incurring incitement. Is that not concerning?

MS. PSAKI: I don’t think that’s – as you know, President Abbas has renounced violence and consistently sought a diplomatic and peaceful solution that allows for two states. I don’t have any other analysis for you to offer.

Any on this topic, or should we – any more on this topic? Okay. Go ahead, Scott.

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QUESTION: But the Israeli defense minister was here yesterday, and he accused Turkey at an appearance at the Pentagon of supporting Hamas and being a second headquarters for terrorist organizations trying to destroy Israel. I just wanted to know if the United States has any view on his remarks, given that Turkey is such an important part of the anti-ISIS coalition and other diplomatic efforts. But do you see this as detrimental to any efforts here to get Turkey on board with things the international community is doing?

MS. PSAKI: I don’t – I haven’t – I don’t have any specific comment on his comments, but I will say that our conversations with Turkey are, of course, ongoing. And obviously, they have taken steps and indicated an openness to having the Peshmerga travel through. They have taken steps over the course of the last week or so to increase their participation in the coalition. This is an ongoing effort, but we don’t see an impact from those comments.

QUESTION: Well, what is it – what is Turkey supporting the coalition have to do with its support for Hamas?

MS. PSAKI: Well, she was asking me if we thought that comments by the Israeli defense minister impacted Turkey’s participation.

QUESTION: Oh, I’m sorry.

MS. PSAKI: No, no.

QUESTION: But do you think that they should be housing Hamas?

MS. PSAKI: I don’t have any comments on the comments of the Israeli defense minister.

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http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2014/10/233300.htm#TURKEY