Other messages sent to US President Joe Biden during the State of the Union address, Thursday evening, related to the war that Israel has been waging on the Gaza Strip for 5 months.
While Biden was speaking before Congress in both chambers, the Palestinian keffiyeh was present in the Capitol building with Democratic representatives Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, and Summer Lee, and banners were raised calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and an end to the flow of American weapons to Israel.
The American President devoted an important part of his speech to talking about the Gaza war, as he faces pressure to make more efforts to stop it, while Biden, during his speech, sent messages of support and criticism of Israel at the same time.
Biden warned Israel that it could not use the humanitarian aid file for the Gaza Strip as a “bargaining chip,” calling for an immediate ceasefire for a period of 6 weeks.
He said: “To the leadership of Israel I say the following: Humanitarian aid cannot be a secondary issue or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives must be the priority.”
Biden added that he ordered the US military to establish a temporary port in Gaza to deliver more humanitarian aid by sea to the besieged Palestinian Strip.
On the other hand, he reiterated that Israel was right in the attack it launched against Hamas after the movement’s surprise attack on October 7, noting that Hamas “can end this conflict today by releasing the hostages.”
But he described the repercussions of the war on the residents of Gaza as “heartbreaking.”
Biden said: “I am working non-stop to reach an immediate ceasefire that will last for 6 weeks.”
He pointed out that this agreement would “return the hostages to their homeland, alleviate the unbearable humanitarian crisis, and lay the foundation for something more sustainable.”
Biden reaffirmed his support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, a goal opposed by the far-right government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He said: “As we look to the future, the only real solution is the two-state solution. I say this as a lifelong supporter of Israel. And in my entire career, no one has a stronger record with Israel. I challenge any of you here.”
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2024-03-08 05:02:29
