Biden condemns ‘pure unadulterated evil’ in Israel

WASHINGTON (CN) — President Joe Biden called the weekend’s violence in Israel “pure unadulterated evil” and a “human tragedy.”

Biden, flanked by Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, spoke from the White House Tuesday to address the surprise assault by Hamas militants.

“This is terrorism,” he said. “But sadly, for the Jewish people, it’s not new.”

Biden and Harris spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prior to the remarks. The State Department said Blinken will travel to Israel on Wednesday to provide support to its government.

Long-running conflict between Israel and Palestine escalated over the weekend when Hamas militants entered Israel for the first time in decades. More than 1,800 casualties have been confirmed so far, but the death toll is likely higher and will only increase as the conflict escalates.

So far, at least 14 American citizens have been killed in the violence, Biden said, and some have been taken captive.

Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security advisor, could not provide a more concrete number of Americans being held hostage, but said 20 or more remain missing.

“We do not know the number of hostages we have at this time,” Sullivan told reporters.

The U.S. government has overwhelmingly come out in support of Israel and its response to the attacks.

Over the weekend, U.S. officials promised to support the Israeli government and the Pentagon said it was repositioning warships in the Mediterranean.  A senior Pentagon official told reporters Monday evening that the military is sending munitions and air defense supplies in response to “ISIS-level savagery.”

“We’re going to make sure Israel doesn’t run out of these critical assets,” Biden said.

Sullivan said the Biden administration has no plans to send U.S. troops to Israel.

Hamas has been the de facto governing body of Gaza since 2007. The faction, which views the state of Israel as illegitimate, has long held that the current government in Jerusalem must be deposed by force.

Israel, which considers Hamas a terrorist organization, has for years held a blockade against Gaza and its Palestinian population, a move detractors have called a violation of human rights. For nearly 60 years, the country has also occupied a Palestinian territory in the region’s western reaches known as the West Bank.

Egypt and the United Nations have called for humanitarian corridors in Gaza to deliver aid after Israel, which controls entry into Palestinian areas, declared war on Hamas and stopped the flow of food, fuel and medicine into Gaza in response to the attacks. 

Biden called on Congress to approve funding for national security interests to support counterterrorism efforts worldwide.

“This is not about party or politics,” he said. “This is about the security of the world.”

Follow @TheNolanStout

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit