US President Joe Biden Thursday called for increased financial support by Americans to aid Israel in its efforts to combat Hamas. In a televised address from the White House late on October 19, Biden said that the United States must remain “a beacon to the world” and a threat to all enemies of democracy.
President Biden’s speech came after he undertook an eight-hour visit to Israel, during which he attempted to facilitate an agreement to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza, but with only partial success. The President had announced that Israel and Egypt had reached an agreement to allow 20 trucks filled with relief supplies to enter the Gaza Strip. On Thursday, equipment was sent through the Egyptian border crossing to repair roads on the Gaza side, while more than 100 trucks awaited their turn in Egypt. The border crossing had been non-operational due to Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian side of the border. Meanwhile, Israel’s defence chief instructed troops to be prepared for a potential incursion into the Gaza Strip with the aim of dismantling the Palestinian militant
group.
Here are the top highlights from Biden’s speech.
"When terrorists don't pay a price for their terror, when dictators don't pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and death and more destruction. They keep going and the cost and the threats to America and the world keep rising. So we don't stop Putin's appetite for power and control Ukraine. He won't limit himself just to Ukraine," the US President added.
Biden also emphasised the critical need to promptly deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinian civilians in Gaza who are facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. "We can't ignore the humanity of innocent Palestinians who only want to live in peace and have opportunity," he said.
President Biden announced his intention to seek additional funding for Israel from Congress on Friday. According to a source familiar with the situation, the proposed funding is expected to amount to $14 billion. The objective of this financial support, as outlined by Biden, is to enhance Israel's qualitative advantage and bolster its military capabilities.
He added that America's national security required it to support "critical partners" like Israel. “It's a smart investment that's gonna pay dividends for American security for generations,” the US President said.
On the ground in the Gaza Strip, Israel seemed to be moving closer to a potential full-scale invasion of the coastal territory governed by Hamas. The Israeli military amassed troops and equipment in proximity to the Gaza border.
"You see Gaza now from a distance, you will soon see it from inside. The command will come," Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told troops gathered at the Gaza border on Thursday.
Biden highlighted that when the US endured the tragic events of 9/11, it also experienced intense anger. He reminded that while the nation pursued justice, it made mistakes in the process.
"When I was in Israel yesterday, I said that when America experienced the hell of 9/11, we felt enraged as well. While we sought and got justice, we made mistakes. So I caution the Government of Israel not to be blinded by rage. And here in America, let's not forget who we are. We reject all forms, all forms of hate, whether against Muslim, Jews or anyone," he added.
Claiming that American leadership is what holds the world together, President Biden stated, "American alliances are what keep us, America, safe. American values are what make us a partner that other nations want to work with."
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiXWh0dHBzOi8vaW5kaWFuZXhwcmVzcy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS93b3JsZC9iaWRlbi13aGl0ZS1ob3VzZS1zcGVlY2gtdXMtaXNyYWVsLWhhbWFzLXdhci04OTkxNzA2L9IBYmh0dHBzOi8vaW5kaWFuZXhwcmVzcy5jb20vYXJ0aWNsZS93b3JsZC9iaWRlbi13aGl0ZS1ob3VzZS1zcGVlY2gtdXMtaXNyYWVsLWhhbWFzLXdhci04OTkxNzA2L2xpdGUv?oc=5
2023-10-20 03:49:10Z
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