The president addressed America in a rare Oval Office address, explaining why it should support Ukraine and Israel.
US President Joe Biden said he would ask Congress for additional funding to support Israel and Ukraine, passionately saying the two countries were fighting enemies of democracy.
Biden told Americans in the Oval Office that he would draw connections between the actions of Israel’s Hamas and those of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 for a full-scale invasion. And so.
Mr. Biden said stopping such invasions is important not only to the security of the United States but also to the broader world.
“Hamas and Putin represent different threats, but they have this in common: They both want to annihilate the democracy next door,” he said.
If the United States leaves and the aggressor succeeds, he said, other countries could be “emboldened to try the same thing” and spread the risk of conflict to other parts of the world.
“America’s leadership is what unites the world,” the president said in a 10-minute speech, his second speech from the Oval Office during his administration. “Our alliance with the United States keeps us safe. American values are what make us a partner that other countries want to work with.”
Biden was speaking just hours after returning from a whirlwind trip to Tel Aviv. Reiterates US support for Israel Even in the midst of a complete blockade of Gaza and relentless shelling of the Palestinian enclave of 2.3 million people.
The visit was scheduled to include talks with Arab leaders, but the talks were called off hours earlier after an attack on Gaza’s al-Ahli Arab Hospital left about 500 people dead.
Amid calls for a ceasefire, Biden was able to secure a commitment from Israel and Egypt to open the Rafah crossing for desperately needed humanitarian aid.
Biden said he would submit an emergency request to Congress on Friday to help Israel and Ukraine. He did not say how much the security package would be worth, but previous reports suggested it could reach $100 billion.
Biden’s speech came as Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, have paralyzed Congress. I had a hard time getting appointed. Earlier this month, he fired Kevin McCarthy and became the new speaker of the House.
He said the United States needed to overcome “petty, partisan, angry politics” and live up to its responsibilities.
“This is a wise investment that will benefit America’s national security for generations,” he said.
“Tragic loss”
The Gaza conflict broke out on October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing more than 1,400 people and taking dozens of prisoners.
At least 3,785 Palestinians were killed in this bombing campaign.
Biden accused Hamas of unleashing “pure, unadulterated evil” on the world, saying that as president, Hamas “has no higher priority than bringing home Americans held by insurgents.” ” he emphasized.
While making clear his support for Israel, Biden said he was “heartbroken” by the “tragic loss” of Palestinian life, spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and announced that the U.S. It said it reiterated that it remains “committed to the right to dignity of the Palestinian people.” and the right to self-determination. ”
He emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to the enclave, noting an agreement that ensured the entry of food, water and medicine into Gaza.
“We cannot abandon peace,” he said. “We cannot give up on the two-state solution. Israelis and Palestinians alike have the right to live in security, dignity and peace.”
Biden’s Oval Office speech came after he reaffirmed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the United States will support Kiev in its efforts to expel Russian forces from Ukrainian territory.
He noted that the United States is an “indispensable” member of a group of about 50 countries that have supported Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.
He said he would ensure Ukraine has “the weapons it needs to defend itself” and stressed to domestic audiences that there were no plans to send U.S. troops to Eastern Europe.
“When President Putin invaded Ukraine, he thought he could capture Kiev and all of Ukraine in a matter of days, but he failed and will continue to fail,” Biden said. “Kiev is still alive thanks to the courage of the Ukrainian people. Ukraine has regained more than 50 percent of the territory once occupied by Russian forces.”
