The president's rhetoric in response to the hostilities in the Gaza strip suggest he believes Gaza is a foreign threat to Israel rather than part of it. The president should clarify, publicly and clearly, whether he believes Palestinians living in Israeli-controlled territories like the Gaza strip to be citizens of Israel or whether he believes these territories are an autonomous state that is attacking Israel.
Additionally, the president should make clear how international law (and general human rights concerns) should judge this conflict depending on the Palestinians' status as Israeli citizens or as foreign nationals. If the Israeli government or Hamas violate these standards, the president should also clearly condemn this action and push for appropriate legal action.