US officials have called for calm amid the violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip. But they are part of the problem.

In a statement by the US State Department, the United States called for “calm.” Urges “de-escalation by all sides,” with reference to Hamas to condemn and defend Israel’s right to self-defense. This came on the heels of an earlier statement after the Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, and fired tear gas and sound bombs at hundreds of people gathered there in protest and prayer, as US officials urged “both sides” to avoid unilateral measures. Palestinian demonstrators threw stones at the police and some Israeli Jewish citizens, wounding dozens of Israelis. Meanwhile, the Palestine Red Crescent said that more than 600 Palestinians were injured in the clashes in Jerusalem.