In Oval Office address, Biden makes the case for more aid to Israel, Ukraine
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden urged Americans in an Oval Office address on Thursday evening to stand with Ukraine and Israel, arguing that U.S. leadership abroad and congressional aid to both countries is essential.
Biden sought to drive home the value of continued U.S. support for the close allies to a war-weary public less than a day after his visit Israel to meet with the country's prime minister. He pressed for the release of hostages that are being held by Hamas and connected the militant group's assault on Israel to Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine.
"Hamas and Putin represent different threats, but they share this in common: they both want to completely annihilate a neighboring democracy," Biden said.
He added, "I know these conflicts can seem far away, and it's natural to ask, why does this matter to America."
Speaking from behind the Resolute Desk, the U.S. president said it is vital to America's national security to prevent dictators and terrorists from spreading chaos and destruction.
"They keep going. And the cost and the threats to America and the world keep rising," Biden said. "If we don't stop Putin's appetite for power and control in Ukraine, he won't limit himself to just Ukraine."
Biden will detail a request to Congress on Friday to pay for more weapons for Ukraine, buy new equipment for the American military to replace what it has sent Kyiv and replenish the Iron Dome air defense system that protects Israel.
Biden plans to request more than $98 billion in emergency funding for the wars in Israel and Ukraine, U.S. border security and other international crises, according to a source familiar with the funding request who asked for anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly.
The source said Biden wants $60 billion for the war in Ukraine, with half of the money going toward replenishing U.S. military stockpiles. Biden is also seeking $14 billion for Israel and $14 billion for the U.S. border as part of the request, which also includes money for the Indo-Pacific and $10 billion for humanitarian assistance.
Biden made the case for the request during a primetime address from the White House. It was only his second speech from the Oval Office as commander-in-chief. The ask amends Biden's previous supplemental request to Congress for more money for the U.S. border and Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia.
His speech follows a visit to Tel Aviv, during which he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would make sure sure that the ally has what it needs to defend itself against future attacks.
He arrived at the White House early Thursday morning and spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later in the day.
Earlier this week, long-range missiles that Ukraine had been requesting from the Biden administration showed up on the battlefield in Russian-held territory inside of Ukraine. The U.S. secretly supplied to weapons to Ukraine after Zelenskyy's visit to Washington last month.
Biden hammers Hamas, pledges to bring Americans home
As he flew back from Israel, the White House said Biden would make a rare address to the nation on Thursday that outlined the U.S. response to both conflicts. His first Oval Office address came in June after he reached a deal with Congress to avert a default on the nation's debt.
Biden's latest funding request pairs money for Ukraine with assistance to Israel, which is fighting the militant group Hamas.
Thousands of people have died in the conflict that erupted on Oct. 7 when Hamas launched a sudden attack on the Israelis.
At least 32 Americans have been killed, the U.S. president said in Thursday's address. He again pledged to pursue every avenue to bring home U.S. citizens who have been taken hostage, saying he has no higher priority.
"The terrorist group Hamas unleashed pure unadulterated evil in the world, but sadly the Jewish people know perhaps better than anyone that there is no limit to the depravity of people when they want to inflict pain on others," Biden said.
Biden drew a distinction between Hamas, which the the U.S. government has for decades deemed a terrorist group, and the Palestinian people, who the Biden administration has sought to provide humanitarian aid. The U.S. president said he was "heartbroken" by the "tragic loss" of Palestinian life in the conflict, including in an explosion in Gaza city earlier this week.
Hamas blamed Israel for an explosion at a hospital in Gaza that killed hundreds of civilians. Israel and the U.S., citing intelligence, have denied the accusation.
Biden said Wednesday as he returned to the U.S. from the Middle East that he had secured an agreement to deliver some aid to the densely populated strip of land that borders Egypt. He said he struck the deal for 20 trucks of aid to be delivered to Gaza during a call with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, who he had planned to meet in person in Jordan prior to the blast.
If Hamas does not divert the assistance, Biden said Thursday, the shipments of aid will be sustained.
He said that Israel must also protect civilians and provide the people of Gaza with food, water and medicine and that he discussed the humanitarian relief with Netanyahu during his visit to Tel Aviv.
Biden said he told Israeli leaders about lessons learned by the U.S. after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
"While we sought and got justice, we made mistakes. So I cautioned the government of Israel not to be blinded by rage," Biden said.
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Lawmakers consider Biden's request for foreign aid
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he doesn’t anticipate a problem with getting support for aid to Israel.
“I think the challenge is determining exactly what that aid consists of because that will be largely determined by the nature of this conflict,” Rubio told reporters Wednesday, before Biden sent Congress his request.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., said that he looks forward to a supplemental package and would be inclined to support it if there is a border security piece attached that "is real border security and not border facilitation.”
“Like almost every other Republican, I feel strongly that we have to demonstrate that we’re willing to secure our own border if we’re going to ask the taxpayers in this country for more to support somebody else’s,” he said.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, told reporters Wednesday it is “extraordinarily important” that the United States supports Israel and continues to stand up for Ukraine.
“Russia is watching. The rest of the world is watching and the Ukrainians along with our European allies need that assistance,” he told reporters after a classified meeting with top Biden officials.
“I think we’ve got to get this full supplemental done as quickly as possible,” he added.
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House chaos could jeopardize aid package
Getting an aid package through Congress could be an uphill climb, given the chaos that has paralyzed the House of Representatives and the opposition by some Republican lawmakers in the lower chamber to any additional Ukraine assistance.
The chamber has been without a speaker for 16 days since lawmakers ousted Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the position during a vote triggered by a group of conservative rebels. Republicans have been unable to elect a successor for McCarthy, bringing the business of the House to a standstill. Without a speaker, the House cannot approve critical legislation such as the aid package Biden is requesting to support America's allies.
Further complicating matters: a possible government shutdown in mid-November. A temporary funding bill that has kept government agencies running expires on Nov. 17. Lawmakers must pass another funding bill by then or all government functions will cease except those deemed necessary.
Addressing the calamity in the House, Biden recalled his visit to Kyiv in February, which he said served as a reminder that "America is a beacon to the world, still" and an indispensable nation.
"But time is of the essence. I know we have our divisions at home. We have to get past them," Biden said. "We can't let petty, partisan, angry politics get in the way in our responsibility as a great nation. We can not and will not let terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin win. I refuse to let that happen."
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Why are Israel and Hamas at war?
The latest conflict between Israel and Hamas began when the Palestinian militant group staged a surprise attack in southern Israel nearly two weeks ago.
Crossing the border into several towns, Hamas fighters kidnapped and killed more than 1,400 Israeli civilians and soldiers and took at least 199 hostages, including some U.S. citizens. One of the most broad-scale assaults in recent memory, the attack caught Israel off guard and arrived on the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah. Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.
Israel responded by hitting Gaza with a series of airstrikes that the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry says have killed 2,800 people. Israel also has been setting the stage for a ground invasion that could begin any day.
The U.S. fears that other countries and militant groups could get pulled into the conflict, causing it to engulf the Middle East.
Antisemitism, racism and Islamophobia are also intensifying in the U.S., Biden said on Thursday evening.
Biden invoked the fatal stabbing of 6-year-old Palestinian American Wadea Al-Fayoume in Illinois. The Department of Justice has opened a hate crimes investigation in the attack on the boy and his mother, Hanaan Shahin, who police say were attacked by their landlord.
"To all you hurting, those of you hurting, I want you to know I see you, you belong. And I want to say this to you: you're all American," Biden said.
The White House said that the president and first lady called the boy's father and uncle after Biden's national address.
Contributing: Michael Collins and Rachel Looker
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: In Oval Office address, Biden asks for more aid to Israel, Ukraine