US leadership ‘holds the world together,’ Biden says in bid for Ukraine, Israel funds
US President Joe Biden on October 19 asked Americans to spend billions more dollars to help Israel fight Hamas while Israel’s defense chief told his troops to be ready to go into the Gaza Strip to destroy the Palestinian militant group.
In a televised White House speech late on Thursday, Biden said Hamas sought to “annihilate” Israel’s democracy.
The president, who made an eight-hour visit to Israel on October 18, also stressed the urgency of getting relief to Palestinian civilians in Gaza who lack food, water and medicine.
“We can’t ignore the humanity of innocent Palestinians who only want to live in peace and have opportunity,” he said.
Biden said he would ask Congress on October 20 to approve extra funding for Israel. A source familiar with the matter earlier said it would total $14 billion.
The money would “sharpen Israel’s qualitative edge” and strengthen its military capabilities, Biden said.
He said America’s national security required it to support “critical partners” like Israel. “It’s a smart investment that’s gonna pay dividends for American security for generations,” Biden said.
