October 18, 2023
President Biden made that announcement of $100 million in humanitarian aid today during his quick trip to Israel.
He secured the deal with the Israeli Prime Minister and his war cabinet to start flowing humanitarian aid into Gaza and the West Bank. He said the US has been coordinating that aid to cross through the Palestinian border with Egypt. Israel would not agree to allow the aid to flow into Gaza from their border. It’s unclear when exactly that aid will start flowing. But what is clear — the President said – if Hamas steals that aid meant for the Palestinian people, it will prove that Hamas does not care about the Palestinians and the aid will stop flowing.
Speaking of humanitarian aid — it’s also worth noting a separate meeting to talk about that aid between President Biden and the Presidents of Egypt and the Palestinian Authority and the King of Jordan – some of America’s closest Arab allies — was supposed to happen today. But the meeting was canceled by the Arab leaders in the wake of that horrific attack on the Palestinian hospital that killed hundreds. A strike Jordan calls a war crime and something President Biden also condemned.
Much of the President’s speech was directed at the Israeli people and their government. He said the massacre that killed about 1400 Israelis on October 7th carried out by Hamas terrorists was pure evil. He said Americans who suffered through September 11th can understand the rage the Israeli people and government feel. But he cautioned them not to let that rage take over.
But that’s not all – during today’s 16 minute speech, President Biden also said by the end of the week he is going to ask Congress for an “unprecedented support package” for Israeli defense. What exactly that will look like or the price tag is unclear. In the end – it’ll be up to Congress to agree to and pass a bill with a dollar amount they choose. The President said America will always be by the side of Israel.
Before he left the region the president also urged Israel and Palestine to find a way to live together.
Watch President Biden’s speech here.
