11-10-2023 (WASHINGTON) President Joe Biden addressed the nation, offering his staunch support for Israel in the aftermath of the attacks on October 7 in southern Israel by Hamas. During his address, President Biden unequivocally condemned the atrocities committed during these attacks and expressed his resolve to stand against hate, particularly aimed at Jews and Muslims.
Describing the October 7 attacks as “pure, unadulterated evil,” President Biden left no room for ambiguity as he denounced Hamas, referring to the group’s stated purpose as the killing of Jews. He accused Hamas of committing heinous war crimes, including the deaths of over a thousand civilians, as well as incidents of rape, mutilation, and the ruthless killing of entire families, including innocent children.
President Biden confirmed that the attacks had resulted in the tragic loss of at least 14 American lives. He further criticised Hamas for its chilling threats to execute hostages and made a grim comparison, likening the brutality of Hamas to the worst atrocities carried out by ISIS.
In a resolute display of support, President Biden declared that the United States stood firmly with Israel. He assured that the U.S. would provide Israel with the necessary resources to protect its citizens, defend itself, and respond to the attacks. This unwavering commitment was reinforced by his assertion that the U.S. would stand by its ally, Israel, in times of crisis.
President Biden made a clear distinction between Hamas and the Palestinian people, emphasizing that the militant group did not represent the Palestinian people’s aspirations for dignity and self-determination. He accused Hamas of employing Palestinian civilians as “human shields” and criticized the organization for bringing nothing but terror and bloodshed to the region.
Addressing his conversations with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Biden expressed his expectations that Israel’s response would be swift, decisive, and overwhelming. He stressed the importance for democracies, such as the United States and Israel, to distinguish themselves from terrorist entities by upholding the laws of war. President Biden highlighted the significant difference between terrorists, who deliberately target civilians, and democracies that adhere to the laws of war, asserting that “there’s a difference.”
This statement served as an indication that the U.S. encourages Israel to take measures to limit civilian casualties during its military response. Reports from NBC News suggested that President Biden privately urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to minimize civilian casualties during their phone call.
President Biden went on to outline the nature of U.S. assistance to Israel. He pledged to ensure the supply of essential military resources and announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group to the region. Additional military assistance, including ammunition and interceptors for the Iron Dome anti-missile system, was also promised. President Biden assured that his administration would work with the U.S. Congress to secure adequate funding for supporting Israel, even as Congress sought a new Speaker of the House following Kevin McCarthy’s removal by both parties.
The President further issued a stern warning to any country or organization contemplating the exploitation of the situation, making it clear that such actions would not be tolerated. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was redeployed to the eastern Mediterranean, and additional reports indicated the deployment of U.S. Air Force squadrons, including F-35 stealth fighters and A-10 ground attack aircraft.
President Biden also highlighted the steps being taken domestically to bolster security around Jewish community centers, with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, intensifying efforts to “identify and disrupt” potential domestic threats in the aftermath of the attacks. The President emphasised the United States’ unwavering stance against terrorism and hate, reiterating that there was “no place for hate in America,” be it directed towards Jews or Muslims. His message was clear: “What we reject is terrorism.”
