He told guests including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and other members of Congress: “The whole world, public opinion can shift overnight. We can’t let that happen.”
The US president also said that the “surge of antisemitism” around the world since October 7 was “sickening.”
He told guests that while he does not always agree with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu they have a positive relationship.
He recounted a story about a photo of the pair from 1973 which he had written a message on the back of.
“Bibi, I love you, but I don’t agree with a damn thing you have to say,” Biden wrote.
Speaking about the photo and what he had written he said: “It’s about the same today.
“As I said after the attack, my commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, and the security of Israel, its right to exist as an independent Jewish state, is unshakeable.”
He added: “You don’t have to be a Jew to be a Zionist. I am a Zionist.
“Were there no Israel, there would not be a Jew in the world who is safe.”
The event at the White House was also attended by the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, Doug Emhoff.
Emhoff, who is Jewish, was one of those chosen to light a menorah which was made from the original timbers of the White House.
The event was led by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl of Central Synagogue in New York City.
She praised Biden for his support of Israel since October 7 describing him as a "steadfast supporter of Israel’s right to defend itself. A trusted and true friend to the Jewish people.”
Buchdahl also talked about the horror of the attacks that Hamas carried out and impact on Jewish communities around the world.
She said: “It’s only gotten darker, with many around the world justifying terrorism, normalizing antisemitism, with the pain of so many lives lost — Israeli and Palestinian — in this just but tragic war.”
In a show of solidarity with the victims of October 7, The White House is currently also displaying a menorah recovered from Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
The community in southern Israel is just one of the communities that were attacked in the terror attack, in which 1200 were murdered.
