President Joe Biden is scheduled to participate in a roundtable discussion with leaders from the Jewish community on Wednesday afternoon. During the event, he will address his administration’s commitment to supporting Israel in the face of its ongoing conflict with Hamas and the broader fight against antisemitism.
Joining the President in delivering remarks at this event is Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, who is of Jewish heritage. The program is slated to commence at 4:15 p.m. according to information from the White House.
On Tuesday, President Biden delivered a firm condemnation of what he termed Hamas’ “vicious attacks” on Israel in a 10-minute address from the White House. He highlighted the tragic loss of at least 14 American lives as a result of these attacks and reiterated his steadfast support for Israel. Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken stood beside him during this announcement.
As of Wednesday morning, the Israel Defense Forces reported that the conflict has resulted in the loss of at least 1,200 lives in Israel, including more than 150 soldiers, with over 2,700 individuals injured. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Palestinian health ministries have reported at least 1,087 deaths and 5,000 injuries.
During his address on Tuesday, President Biden also confirmed that Americans are among those being held hostage by Hamas fighters, though he did not specify the number of individuals involved. His national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, indicated that 20 Americans were unaccounted for following Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel. The President emphasized his commitment to the safety of these hostages and stated that he had directed U.S. officials to offer their expertise in assisting Israel’s efforts to secure their release.
In his speech, President Biden strongly criticized Hamas for its “abhorrent” attacks, characterizing them as grave violations of human rights. He mentioned the targeting of infants, grandparents, and even Holocaust survivors, who had been abducted and held hostage, with Hamas threatening to execute them in violation of all moral codes. These remarks were made following a phone conversation between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Family members of Americans believed to be held hostage by Hamas have urged the Biden administration to take immediate action to secure their release.
While President Biden reaffirms his support for Israel, he faces internal pressures within his own party. Some progressive voices have signaled their intention to push for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to limit the scale of the counterattack, especially if the civilian Palestinian casualty toll continues to rise.
Reports indicate that the Biden administration is deploying ships from the Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean Sea, along with retaining some F-16 and A-10 fighter jets that were initially scheduled to leave the region. This move is intended to send a message of de-escalation.
Israel reported that its fighter jets had struck 450 targets in Gaza within 24 hours, and they claimed to have regained control within their territory after implementing a “full siege” of Gaza, which resulted in disruptions to food, gas, and power supplies in the densely populated area.
You can also read: FedEx Plane Makes Emergency Landing in Tennessee After Landing Gear Fails
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to Israel on Wednesday and meet with senior leaders in the Israeli government after his arrival on Thursday. This visit follows ongoing discussions he and the President have been holding with Israeli officials since the start of the conflict.
