Biden: US will provide military assistance until Israel gets rid of Hamas

The United States will continue to provide military assistance until Israel “gets rid of Hamas,” President Joe Biden promised in a speech on Monday at a Chanukah event in the White House. 

“But we have to be careful. The whole world, public opinion can shift overnight. We can’t let that happen,” Bide said, referring to the overwhelming international pressure on Israel to stop its military actions against Hamas in Gaza.

The U.S. vetoed a UN Security Council resolution last week which called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, arguing it would only allow Hamas to regroup, grow stronger and attack Israel again.

The U.S. also criticised the resolution for failing to condemn Hamas attacks on October 7 as well as supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.

“As I said after the [Hamas attack on October 7] attack, my commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, and the security of Israel, its right to exist as an independent Jewish state, is unshakeable,” Biden said.

“You don’t have to be a Jew to be a Zionist. I am a Zionist. Were there no Israel, there would not be a Jew in the world who is safe, he added.

Biden’s remarks comes as antisemitism is spiralling worldwide, ignited by Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. Antisemitism at U.S. campuses has caused great fear among Jewish students.