Staff Reports
In a prime-time speech on Thursday, President Biden made a passionate appeal to the American public to support the ongoing wars in Israel and Ukraine. He also announced his intention to request $100 billion in aid from Congress to assist these nations in their struggles. President Biden argued that these conflicts posed a threat to democratic stability and national security, comparing Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Islamist organization Hamas to individuals who seek to “completely annihilate a neighboring democracy.” He emphasized the importance of holding terrorists and dictators accountable for their actions, warning that failure to do so would only lead to more chaos and destruction.
Biden declares Putin, Hamas threats to democracy in prime-time speechhttps://t.co/52U1XGS5uK pic.twitter.com/eqFZwV70aA
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 20, 2023
Both Ukraine and Israel have been grappling with ongoing wars. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, while Israel and Hamas have been engaged in conflict since Hamas launched a major attack on civilians earlier this month. However, there is uncertainty about whether Congress will support combining the aid for these two conflicts into one package, especially given recent skepticism from American voters about the funds going to Ukraine. Additionally, the White House is in the process of developing a supplemental funding request, which is expected to include funds for Taiwan and to strengthen security along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The article also revealed that Congress has been paralyzed for over two weeks due to a lack of an elected House speaker. This has prevented the House from considering aid to Israel and any other legislation. Furthermore, President Biden recently spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reiterate America’s commitment to Ukraine. His speech came on the heels of his visit to Israel, where he pledged to provide $100 million in humanitarian assistance for Gaza and the West Bank. The funds for this initiative would come from existing funding already approved by Congress.
The State Department raised its estimate of the number of American citizens affected by the violence, confirming that at least 32 Americans were killed in Israel, while 11 others remained unaccounted for. Consequently, the department issued a worldwide alert to American travelers, urging them to exercise increased caution due to the potential for violence. On the ground, Israel continued to conduct airstrikes in Gaza, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warning Israeli troops to prepare for a possible ground incursion. Palestinian militants retaliated by launching missiles from Gaza, and fresh violence was reported in the West Bank.
Meanwhile, there were hopes that a deal to open a crucial border crossing with Egypt would be implemented, allowing essential aid to reach Gaza’s increasingly desperate population. However, this effort has been complicated by Israel’s demand that only Gaza civilians, not Hamas fighters, have access to humanitarian aid. Israel also faced threats from other fronts, as evidenced by a rare airstrike in the West Bank and claims by Hezbollah militants in Lebanon of firing missiles into northern Israel.
President Biden’s speech on Thursday marked only the second time he has addressed the nation from the Oval Office. Previously, he spoke about a bipartisan deal to avoid defaulting on the nation’s debt. As the war in Israel and Ukraine continues, it remains to be seen whether the president’s appeal for support and aid will resonate with Congress and the American people.
