PresidentJoe Bidenused Thursday’s State of the Union address to speak to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war, calling for a “two-state solution” and more aid for Palestinians as Israeli forces continue launching civilian attacks in the Gaza Strip.
Biden’s remarks came five months to the day since Hamas' deadly terroristattack on Israeli civilianson Oct. 7, when the militant group killed 1,200 civilians and soldiers and tookat least 200 moreas hostages.
Nearly 30,000 people have been killed in Gaza — most of them women and children —since Israel’s offensive began, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, and protestors have accused Israel of committing genocide.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adamantly denied the allegations of genocide, saying the country is acting in self-defense, and has reportedly been holding talks on a proposed six-week pause in fighting, which would allow aid trucks to enter Gaza every day.
President Joe Biden delivers a State of the Union address.Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/Shutterstock
Speaking about the situation during his State of the Union address, Biden, 81, said, “As we look to the future, the only real solution is a two-state solution. I say this as a lifelong supporter of Israel and the only American president to visit Israel in wartime. There is no other path that guarantees Israel’s security and democracy. There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live with peace and dignity.”
President Joe Biden at Thursday’s State of the Union address.Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Elsewhere in his speech, Biden urged Israel to stop restricting aid to Palestinians as the conflict continues, saying, “Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the crossfire. To the leadership of Israel, I say this: humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority.”
Biden also announced that, while negotiations continue, he would be launching an “emergency mission” to build a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza that would allow large vessels to deliver assistance via the Mediterranean.
“This temporary pier would enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day,” the president said. “But Israel must also do its part.”
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Biden’s State of the Union address was a largely successful one for his reelection campaign, which confirmed to PEOPLE that the 9, 10 and 11 p.m. hours of Thursday night — during and immediately after the president’s speech — were hisbest fundraising hours of the campaign cycleso far.
source: people.com
