2024-03-08 07:08:42
In his annual State of the Union address, Biden called for an “immediate six-week ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas.
Announcement
Biden said, “Israel cannot use aid as a bargaining chip,” noting that Washington is leading international efforts to deliver more humanitarian aid to Gaza.
He added that he directed “the US military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary dock in the Mediterranean Sea on the coast of Gaza to receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine, and temporary shelters,” stressing that “there will be no American forces on the ground.”
He urged Israel to do its part by “allowing more aid to enter Gaza, and to ensure that humanitarian workers are not caught in the crossfire… protecting and saving innocent lives must be a priority.”
Biden stressed that “the only real solution is the two-state solution… because there is no other way that guarantees Israel’s security and democracy, and there is no other way that guarantees the Palestinians to live in peace and dignity, and there is no other way that guarantees peace between Israel and all of its Arab neighbors, including Saudi Arabia.” “.
He stressed that this war was painful for the Israelis as well as for the Palestinians, as “this crisis began on October 7th with a massacre committed by the terrorist Hamas,” considering that today is “the bloodiest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.”
Biden pledged to all families to “return their loved ones to their homes,” stressing Israel’s right to fight Hamas, throwing the ball in their court in terms of ending the conflict by “releasing the hostages, laying down weapons, and handing over those responsible for the events of October 7th.”
He said, “Israel bears an additional burden because Hamas is hiding and operating among the civilian population, but Israel must bear a fundamental responsibility to protect innocent civilians in Gaza.”
Biden stated that this war caused more massive losses among innocent civilians than all the wars that took place in Gaza, as more than 30,000 Palestinians were killed, most of whom did not belong to Hamas, including thousands of innocent women and children.
He pointed out that “more than two million other Palestinians are living under bombardment or are displaced, with homes destroyed, neighborhoods and cities in ruins… and families without food, water and medicine,” describing what is happening as “a heartbreaking matter.”
He stated that “creating stability in the Middle East also means containing the threat posed by Iran.”
In his speech, Biden touched on the American responses against the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, stressing that he will not hesitate to take additional measures to protect the American people and army.
Highlights of what Biden said in his “State of the Union” address:
US President Joe Biden noted Thursday, in his annual State of the Union address, that “democratic freedom” is under attacks “both internal and external.” He touched on many files, the most prominent of which are:
His conflict with Trump
Biden made clear criticism of his Republican rival, Donald Trump, although he did not mention him by name. He also criticized Republican abortion opponents, saying that they “have no idea about the power of women in America.”
Biden shed light on the internal threats to American democracy, and said: “History is watching as it did three years ago on January 6th… as insurgents stormed the Capitol and put a dagger to the throat of American democracy.”
He stressed that “the threat still exists and democracy must be defended… as the former president and some seek to bury the truth of January 6… this is a moment to tell the truth and bury the lies… and the simplest truth is that you cannot love your country only when you win.”
Attacking Putin
He urged Congress to approve aid to Ukraine to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin. Biden said: “If we stand by Ukraine and provide it with the weapons it needs to defend itself,” they can confront Putin, pointing out that Ukraine does not require American troops… and “there are no American soldiers in Ukraine.”
He also called on Congress to “stand up to Putin… Send me the national security bill submitted by both parties to sign it,” and sent a message to Putin: “We will not move away from Ukraine… I will not bow.”
American economy
President Biden praised the strong state of the US economy and its recovery after the Covid pandemic crisis. He said: I inherited an economy that was on the brink of the abyss, and now our economy has become the envy of the world in every sense of the word. “15 million new jobs in just three years is a record, and unemployment is at its lowest levels in 50 years.” Also, “a record number of 16 million Americans have started small businesses, and each one represents hope.”
He pointed out that there are “800,000 new jobs” in the field of industry, where a greater number of people enjoy health insurance, while the wealth gap has decreased in 20 years, as wages are rising and inflation is falling from 9 to 3 percent, which is the lowest in the world.
Relations with China
Biden emphasized that Washington “stands against China’s unfair economic practices” and “defends peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”
Announcement
He noted that his administration had “reinvigorated partnerships and alliances in the Pacific region,” not to mention ensuring that “advanced American technology cannot be used in China’s weapons.”
He continued that the United States wants “competition, not conflict, with China,” stressing that Washington is in a stronger position to win in any competition against China or any other country.
Immigration
Biden launched a violent attack on his predecessor and rival in the upcoming elections, Trump, because of the Republican billionaire’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Biden told both chambers of Congress: “I will not demonize immigrants, saying at the same time that they are ‘poisoning the blood of our country’,” quoting a statement by his predecessor, and calling on Congress to reform immigration laws.
Regarding the issue of his age, Biden responded to the criticism directed at him, considering that his 81 years have only increased his clarity of vision and wisdom. He said: “I know it may not seem like it, but I was born a long time ago, and at my age some things become clearer than ever before.”
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