Former U.S. President Barack Obama delivered one of his harshest criticisms of the Israeli occupation since leaving the White House during a speech in Dublin, Ireland. He accused Tel Aviv leaders of playing a “mocking game” aimed at justifying the ongoing bombing and humanitarian suffering in the Gaza Strip.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Obama stated, “Children cannot starve, and there is no military logic in continuing to bomb what is already devastated,” emphasizing that moral responsibility requires those outside the conflict to raise their voices and condemn what is happening.

The former U.S. president added that some political leaders find it beneficial to maintain the “us versus them” narrative and blame the other side as a means to stay in power. He noted that he experienced this “political game” himself during his tenure and that his positions were not always welcomed in the region.

According to the Hebrew newspaper, Obama specifically criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and openly admitted that their relationship was not friendly, saying, “It can be said that I and the Israeli Prime Minister, who is still in office, were not the best of friends.”

Speaking about the situation in Gaza, Obama stressed that the worsening humanitarian crisis can no longer be ignored, adding, “The horror of the events of October 7 cannot be denied, but it does not justify the humanitarian tragedy happening today in the Strip.”

He affirmed that both Palestinians and Israelis live in a “prison of the past,” where many Israelis refuse to acknowledge that Palestinians were forcibly displaced from their lands, resulting in an occupation that entrenches discrimination or lack of citizenship.

According to the Hebrew newspaper, Obama said breaking the cycle of ongoing violence requires “a great deal of political courage,” calling for a formula leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.

Obama’s remarks came during a ceremony where he received the Freedom Award from the city of Dublin. The controversy sparked by his speech coincided with an election campaign in New York, where the leading mayoral candidate, Zehran Mamdani, announced he received support from Obama, who advised him to “plant hope” as he did in his 2008 presidential campaign.

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Mamdani renewed his pledge to arrest Netanyahu if he wins the mayoral position and Netanyahu visits New York, a stance that caused a stir as it coincided with a speech Netanyahu gave at the United Nations during his recent visit to the city.