US President Joe Biden has announced intentions to request additional funds from Congress to further assist Israel and Ukraine. In a heartfelt speech from the Oval Office, he drew parallels between the actions of Hamas in Israel and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, led by President Vladimir Putin in February 2022.
Biden emphasized the critical role of American intervention, stating, “Hamas and Putin represent different threats but they share this in common; they both want to annihilate a neighbouring democracy.” He cautioned that a lack of action could embolden other potential aggressors, further destabilizing global peace.
Reiterating the importance of American leadership, Biden noted, “American alliances are what keep us, America, safe. American values are what make us a partner that other nations want to work with.”
Following a recent trip to Tel Aviv, where Biden reaffirmed US support for Israel amidst its ongoing conflict with Gaza, he expressed his commitment to the cause. Tragically, a planned meeting with Arab leaders was cancelled due to a devastating attack on Gaza’s Al-Ahli Arab Hospital.
Amid growing calls for a ceasefire, President Biden managed to secure an agreement with both Israel and Egypt to open the Rafah crossing, facilitating the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid.
While the specific amount requested from Congress remains undisclosed, estimates suggest it could be upwards of $100 billion. Biden emphasized the strategic importance of this investment, stating, “It’s a smart investment that will pay dividends for American security for generations.”
In a backdrop of political turmoil, with the Republican-led Congress struggling following the removal of Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Biden urged politicians to prioritize national interest over “petty, partisan, angry politics.”
Although a subset of Republicans has voiced opposition to continued Ukraine funding, the general sentiment among the American public remains supportive. Analysts believe Biden’s speech might sway even more towards the initiative.
Commenting on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Biden condemned Hamas’s actions while expressing profound sorrow over the loss of Palestinian lives. He reiterated the US’s commitment to supporting Palestinian rights and highlighted the urgency for humanitarian assistance in the region.
Further, Biden underscored the steadfast US support for Ukraine against Russian advances, ensuring Ukraine’s continued armament without deploying US troops. Commending the resilience of the Ukrainian people, he noted that Ukraine had successfully reclaimed over half of the territories initially occupied by Russian forces.
