Staff Reports
On Thanksgiving, President Joe Biden delivered an optimistic and resolute message to the families of the American nationals Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich who were detained in Russia. Biden declared with assurance, "We will not surrender," thereby demonstrating his resolve to secure their ultimate liberation. It must be difficult for Gershkovich, who spent his first Thanksgiving in custody in Moscow since March, when he was arrested on espionage charges while covering the defense industrial complex in Russia for the Wall Street Journal. Regarding Whelan, he has been detained since 2018 and received an absurdly lengthy sixteen-year prison term for espionage. The detention has been unequivocally condemned by the United States as illegitimate, a stance that both Americans maintain in their innocence.
Biden 'ain't giving up' on Gershkovich on first Thanksgiving without family https://t.co/aZaWrmWayd https://t.co/aZaWrmWayd
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) November 24, 2023
As he delivered five pumpkin pies to the diligent firefighters stationed outside the Nantucket Fire Department building, Biden also commented on the ongoing Israel-Hamas captive situation truce. He made it plain, nonetheless, that he was not prepared to discuss it until it had been finalized. When asked if Israeli-American Abigail Mor Edan, age 3, who was kidnapped by Hamas, could be among the initial hostages to be liberated, Biden responded with optimism and stated, "I'm keeping my fingers crossed." In the midst of such intricate negotiations, the president's optimism and hopefulness are commendable.
As part of an armistice mediated by Qatar, thirteen women and children who were captured during Hamas's October terrorist attack on Israel are expected to be released this Friday, according to reports. It is imperative to mention that over the course of the next four days, this quantity is projected to rise to fifty. The spokesman for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the prioritization of the hostages' release was predicated exclusively on humanitarian considerations. Their primary objective was to expeditiously remove the women and children from perilous situations. An immensely momentous and uplifting development has transpired amidst the protracted conflict.
President Biden's unequivocal dedication to ensuring the safe return of Paul Whelan and Evan Gershkovich is a source of comfort. These Americans in foreign prisons should not be forgotten or abandoned. We require a president who places the rights and welfare of our citizens first, and Biden's statements indicate that he is cognizant of this. Furthermore, the imminent liberation of women and children as hostages in the Israel-Hamas truce situation is a source of optimism regarding the hostage situation. This demonstrates that diplomatic and negotiating endeavors can produce favorable results, notwithstanding the most arduous conditions.
