Kissinger's final warning that Israel-Gaza war could engulf Arab world

01 December 2023 , 03:09

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Henry Kissinger gave professional opinion on the Hamas' October 7 attack shortly before he died (Image: Politico)

Before he died this week at age 100, historic diplomat Henry Kissinger entered the world stage one more time to give his final comments on the gruesome Israel-Hamas war.

Following the bloody Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that killed more than 1,200 civilians, the former secretary of state said the Palestinian militant group needed to face consequences for their devastating act of aggression on October 7 when asked what Israel should do in response. "Of course, the first instinct is to bring back peace but you can't make concessions to people who have declared and demonstrated by their actions that they cannot make peace," he asserted.

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Henry said the Hamas must face some kind of penalty for their attack on southern Israel (Politico)

During the interview, Henry warned the massacre in Israel could pull the rest of the Arab world into a war.

"The Middle East conflict has the danger of escalating and bringing in other Arab countries under the pressure of their public opinion," Henry said, alluding to the instance when Egypt and Syria attacking Israel during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. The political consultant, whose political resume is extensive, serving under two presidents and considered a giant in foreign policy circles, said both Hamas' attack and Russia's war on Ukraine is a "fundamental attack on the international system."

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The diplomat, who's from German originally, added that it pained him to see people celebrating the assault in Berlin shortly after the murders. The political analyst died in his Connecticut home Wednesday, according to his consulting firm Kissinger Associates Incorporated.

"Dr. Henry Kissinger, a respected American scholar and statesman, died today at his home in Connecticut," the firm said in a statement the day of his death. The company added that Henry will be interred at a private family service, saying there will also be a memorial at a later date in New York City.

Henry never really left the political landscape during the decades following his time in office. The consultant took on a respected elder role for some of his allies, Democrats and Republicans alike. He met with Alaska's then-Governor Sarah Palin in 2008 and reportedly spoke to Mitt Romney by phone during his 2012 campaign.

Henry even had a meeting with former president Donald Trump shortly after he defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. The two met in the White House once Trump was inaugurated. Hillary Clinton has referred to Henry as "a friend" and said his counsel aided her when she was secretary of state from 2009 to 2013, according to ABC.

In a statement issued the day after Henry's death, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted the consultant's "strategic acumen" and "intellect." "Few people were better students of history – and even fewer people did more to shape history – than Henry Kissinger," Antony said.

Mataeo Smith