President Joe Biden warned “those hostile to Israel” against joining Hamas in attacking the Jewish state after he called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday and pledged to provide “all appropriate means of support” to the IDF.
“Let me say this as clearly as I can: This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage,” Biden said as he delivered an unusual public statement from the White House.
Biden spoke after Hamas opened an unprecedented war against the Jewish state at 6:20 a.m. on Saturday through armed infiltrations and rocket fire, killing more than 250, wounding 1,500, and kidnapping others.
Biden's address to Israel's enemies
“The world is watching,” he stressed amid concern that Hamas’s assault was the start of a wider war against the Jewish state. Concern has been high that Hezbollah, which like Hamas is an Iranian proxy group, would attack Israel along its northern border.
“The US stands with Israel and we will not ever fail to have its back. We will make sure it has the help its citizens need to continue to defend themselves,” Biden emphasized.
“When I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning, I told him the US stands with the people of Israel in the face of these terrorist assaults. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people, full stop,” Biden stressed.
“There is never a justification for terrorist attacks and my administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering,” Biden underscored.
He explained that he and US officials have been in touch with countries throughout the Middle East about the situation, as well as with US politicians.
“I have also been in contact with the King [Abdullah] of Jordan, spoke with members of Congress, directed my national security team to engage with their Israel counterparts, military to military, intelligence to intelligence, diplomat to diplomat, to make sure that Israel has what it needs.
“I have also directed my team to remain in constant contact with leaders throughout the region: Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, as well as our European partners and the Palestinian Authority,” Biden said.
It is “unconscionable,” he said, that the attack occurred so soon after Israel celebrated its holiest of days.In a statement he released earlier in the day, Biden said that the US was ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the government and people of Israel.
“Jill and I are keeping in our prayers all of the families who have been hurt by this violence. We are heartbroken by the lives that have been tragically cut short and hope for a swift recovery for all those who have been wounded,” Biden said. He added: “My team and I are tracking this situation closely, and I will remain in close touch with Prime Minister Netanyahu.”
Biden was among many top US officials, world leaders, and diplomats who spoke out in support of Israel as the IDF launched a major Gaza offensive in response called Operation Swords of Iron.
Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog spoke with a host of world leaders and top diplomats throughout the day.The prime minister said he had worked to secure international support for a Gaza military campaign as he thanked Biden for his speech.
“I spoke a few hours ago today with President Biden and with the leaders of the countries of the world to ensure Israel’s freedom of action for the continuation of the [Gaza] campaign.
“I thank President Biden for his clear and strong words. I thank the French president, the British prime minister, and many other leaders for your unreserved support for Israel,” Netanyahu said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said, “France stands in solidarity with Israel and the Israelis, committed to their security and their right to defend themselves.”
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called a special meeting for Sunday to discuss the emergency situation. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan called on the UNSC to “unequivocally condemn” Hamas’s assault on Israel.
“Israel expects and demands the solidarity and support of all those in the international community who oppose this barbaric terrorism.”
“It will not tolerate moral equivalence between those defending against this terrorism and those defending against this terrorism and those perpetrating it.
“There can be no option other than zero tolerance for Hamas’ war crimes and genocidal agenda,” he wrote.
Erdan reminded the UNSC that “Iran supports and finances Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza, providing various weapons to the terrorist organization, which were brutally turned against innocent Israeli civilians today.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a conversation with Herzog, said, “I totally condemn the attack on Israel.”
His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, expanded on the comments, explaining that Guterres urged diplomatic efforts “to avoid a wider conflagration.”
Guterres was “appalled” by the killing and abductions of Israelis and called for the release of those kidnapped, Dujarric said.
The Secretary-General is “deeply concerned for the civilian population and urges maximum restraint. Civilians must be respected and protected in accordance with international humanitarian law at all times,” Dujarric said.
Guterres “stresses that violence cannot provide a solution to the conflict, and that only through negotiation leading to a two-state solution can peace be achieved.”
Hamas’s war against Israel comes amid a US push for a security pact with Saudi Arabia to counter Iran. It would include a possible US security pact with Jerusalem, a Saudi normalization deal with Israel, and a possible interim agreement with the Palestinians.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry called on Saturday for an immediate end to the acts of violence between Israel and the Palestinians.
Egypt, which has mediated between Israel and Hamas in the past, warned of “grave consequences” from escalating tensions and called for “maximum restraint and avoiding exposing civilians to further danger.”