Staff Reports
President Joe Biden spoke at the White House during Jewish American Heritage Month and addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He emphasized that the administration does not consider the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza to be genocide. President Biden criticized the International Criminal Court’s decision to pursue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials and Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes, stating that there is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
The president and national security adviser Jake Sullivan both made it clear that they do not view Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocidal. President Biden further emphasized his administration’s commitment to addressing the rise of antisemitism, citing the Anti-Defamation League’s report on antisemitic instances.
During his speech, President Biden also acknowledged the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American hostage held in Gaza, and pledged to work towards bringing him home. The president’s comments come amidst differing opinions within the Democratic Party regarding the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
President Biden’s remarks reaffirm the administration’s support for Israel’s efforts to ensure civilian protection and address the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
