Statements on record / United States

John Kirby
Reaffirming the absence of red lines

7 November 2023 · White House press briefing

Role at the time: NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications, Biden administration.

Recorded excerpt

That is still the case.

The exchange and context

A reporter asked whether the administration’s earlier position of drawing no red lines for Israel remained unchanged as civilian deaths increased. Kirby replied affirmatively. Elsewhere in the same briefing he acknowledged thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths, inadequate aid and efforts to secure humanitarian pauses.

What this records

This was a reaffirmation in response to a direct question. It does not mean the briefing contained no concern for civilians, or that the statement alone establishes legal complicity.

Sources: S63.

Short excerpts identify the statement; the linked source provides the fuller record. Original media have not been downloaded into this archive.

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