خون جوشان امام علی علیه السلام

Biden, in Oval Office speech, says US "holds the world together" amid wars in Israel and Ukraine

ABC News

7-8 minutes

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In a rare address to the nation from the Oval Office, President Joe Biden on Thursday night made the case to Americans that it"s "vital" to both global and U.S. national security to assist Ukraine and Israel in their respective conflicts, which threaten broader disruptions in Europe and the Middle East.

"I know the conflicts can seem far away and it"s natural to ask: Why does this matter to America?" Biden said. "So let me share with you why making sure Israel and Ukraine succeed is vital for America"s national security. You know, history has taught us that when terrorists don"t pay a price for their terror, when dictators don"t pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and death and more destruction."

Solemn throughout his remarks, the president stressed what he saw as America"s role as a defender of democracy and as a "beacon to the world, still," while seeking to reassure the nation amid a time of rising anger, grief and unrest in the wake of Hamas" terror attack on Israel and Israel"s resulting war on Hamas in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

"To all of you hurting, those of you who are hurting, I want you to know: I see you. You belong," the president said. "And I want to say this to you: You"re all America."

Biden"s remarks came one day after his wartime visit to Tel Aviv, a high-stakes test of his personal diplomacy and U.S. world leadership in a crisis.

President Joe Biden addresses the nation on the conflict between Israel and Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 19, 2023.

Jonathan Ernst/POOL via AFP via Getty Images

In Israel, he expressed unwavering support in the wake of Hamas" attacks, which killed some 1,400, and secured an agreement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. But he also urged officials to practice restraint as they ramp up operations against Hamas in Gaza, where thousands have been killed so far in the conflict.

Biden warned Israel not to repeat what he called the "mistakes" made by the United States in the aftermath of 9/11 -- a message he echoed from the White House on Thursday night.

"I cautioned the government of Israel not to be blinded by rage," Biden said in the Oval Office, his second speech there. "And here in America, let us not forget who we are. We reject all forms, all forms of hate, whether against Muslims, Jews or anyone. That"s what great nations do, and we are a great nation."

Biden directly addressed the fear in Jewish communities of being targeted, and he denounced the killing of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy, in Chicago last week. Authorities suspect it was a hate crime. Shortly after his speech, Biden spoke with the boy"s father and uncle, the White House said.

"We can"t stand by and stand silent when this happens," Biden said. "We must, without equivocation, denounce antisemitism. We must also, without equivocation, denounce Islamophobia."

Biden"s speech laid the groundwork for a large foreign aid proposal he will be sending to Congress in support of Israel and Ukraine, he said -- specifically to shore up their defense capabilities. He spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of his remarks, and Zelenskyy thanked him for the ongoing U.S. assistance.