#POTUS Joe Biden said on Fri the US will impose costs for Russia's "appalling attempts" to use Americans as bargaining chips in a stmnt to mark the 1-yr anniversary of WSJ reporter Gershkovich's arrest in Russia.
Gershkovich, 32, was the 1st US #journalist arrested on spying charges in Russia since the #ColdWar when he was detained by the #FSB on Mar 29 last yr.
"As I have told Evan's parents, I will never give up hope either. We will continue working every day to secure his release," #Biden said in a stmnt…that called the #journalist's detention "wholly #unjust & #illegal."
"We will continue to denounce & impose costs for #Russia's appalling attempts to use Americans as bargaining chips," Biden added.
The Kremlin said on Thurs complete silence was needed when it came to discussions about possible prisoner exchanges involving #EvanGershkovich.
It does not accurately describe either the foundation of #Israel or the tragedy of the #Palestinians.
By Simon Sebag Montefiore
“…Whatever the enormous complexities…, one truth should be obvious among decent people: killing 1,400 people & kidnapping >200, including scores of #civilians, was deeply wrong.
“>7k #Palestinians, including many #children, have died so far in this war…. This is (absolutely) a #TRAGEDY —but this is not a genocide….
“…Israeli rule of the #Occupied Territories of the #WestBank is different &, to my mind, unacceptable, unsustainable, & #unjust. The Palestinians in the West Bank have endured a harsh, unjust, & oppressive #occupation since 1967. Settlers under the disgraceful #Netanyahu govt have harassed & persecuted Palestinians in the West Bank:
Ukrainian Parliament imposed sanctions on Iran for the next 50 years for the help to Russia-terrorists in the #unjust war against Ukraine. #warcrimes#russiaIsATerroristState