USA
Joe Biden: ‘Without Israel, Jews wouldn’t be safe anywhere’
At the White House Chanukah reception, the US president reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself
December 12, 2023 13:40
By, Rosa Doherty
2 min read
At the White House Chanukah reception, the US president reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself
December 12, 2023 13:40ByRosa Doherty, Rosa Doherty
American President Joe Biden has re-pledged his commitment to supporting Israel in its war against the terror group Hamas.
He vowed to support Israel militarily at a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Monday night.
Speaking to a packed event of 800 attendees hosted in the East Room alongside First Lady Jill Biden he said: “We continue to provide military assistance until they get rid of Hamas, but we have to be careful.”
Biden told the guests who included Holocaust survivors, leaders of the Jewish Community, and politicians that Israel needed to be careful as public opinion of its response in Gaza could shift after Hamas's October 7 massacre.
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.
This Menorah from Kfar Aza, was witness to the darkest atrocities against Jews since the Holocaust.
— Avraham Berkowitz (@GlobalRabbi) December 12, 2023
Please light a Menorah in your home as we rededicate ourselves to our faith and Yiddishkeit.
Tonight we light 5 candles, more light than darkness. pic.twitter.com/YGIXj0Ubug
The community in southern Israel is just one of the communities that were attacked in the terror attack, in which 1200 were murdered.