In a significant address, US President Joe Biden emphasized the gravity of the situations in Israel and Ukraine, framing them as battles for democracy against terrorism and dictatorship. He urged a divided US Congress to consider a substantial military assistance package for both nations and address key American security concerns.
Following this, the administration formally requested nearly $105 billion in funding from Congress. This allocation includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine, $10.6 billion for Israel, $9 billion for humanitarian aid benefiting Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza, $3.7 billion for enhanced security at the US embassy in Israel, $7.4 billion for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific, and $12 billion for heightened border security along the US-Mexico border.
During his Oval Office address, President Biden expressed steadfast support for Israel in the Israel-Hamas conflict, pledging unprecedented security assistance. He also emphasized the importance of Israel abiding by international laws of war and safeguarding civilian lives, reiterating the US commitment to a "two-state solution." Additionally, he highlighted efforts to promote connectivity and growth in the region, mentioning the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
Against a backdrop of diminishing Republican support in the US House of Representatives for further aid to Ukraine, Biden cautioned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin were to succeed in Ukraine, NATO members could be the next target. He asserted that such a success would embolden other potential aggressors, possibly referencing China and Iran.
By juxtaposing these two conflicts, President Biden aims to reshape the narrative, countering claims of Western hypocrisy in supporting Ukraine while acknowledging Israel's occupation of Gaza and the West Bank.
Biden also acknowledged the rise of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in America and conveyed solidarity with Jewish and Muslim communities, condemning efforts to incite hatred.
In a speech lauded by even critics as one of his most significant, Biden characterized Hamas's attack as "pure unadulterated evil" and stressed the resilience of the Jewish people. He affirmed that despite the attacks, the US remained committed to the dignity and self-determination of Palestinians.
Highlighting a commonality between Hamas and Putin, he stated, "Hamas and Putin represent different threats, but they share this in common: They both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy — completely annihilate it."
Addressing the question of why these conflicts matter to America, Biden asserted that history has shown that when terrorists and dictators go unchecked, it leads to chaos, death, destruction, and increasing threats to America.
Regarding Putin's ambitions, Biden warned of potential targets beyond Ukraine, including Poland and Baltic countries. He affirmed that in the event of an attack on a NATO ally, the US would defend every inch of NATO, potentially leading to a situation of American troops engaging with Russia. He also highlighted that global competitors and adversaries were closely observing these developments, particularly citing Iran's support for Russia and Hamas.
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