United States President Joe Biden has addressed the nation from the Oval Office, requesting to Congress that the US provide more military funding to Israel and Ukraine.
The $100 billion [AUD$158 billion] worth of funding will aim to, “make sure the Iron Dome continues to guard the skies over Israel” and for Ukraine to have the weapons to defend themselves from “Putin’s brutality”.
“We cannot and will not let terrorists like Hamas and tyrants like Putin win,” he said.
Biden stated that this funding is “vital” to the national security of Americans.
“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,” he said.
“We must make sure that they [Israel] have what they need to protect the people today and always.”
The request for funding is in addition to the $100 million assistance package to the Palestinian people and an agreement to get humanitarian supplies into Gaza.
This request comes after his seven and half hour visit to Israel on Wednesday where Biden had a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The president, citing US intelligence, supported Israel as they alleged that an Islamic militant group was the cause of the blast that took the lives of anywhere between 300-500 Palestinians at al-Ahli Arab hospital in northern Gaza.
“Based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you,” he told their Prime Minister.
Palestinian officials deny the claim and accuse Israel of striking the hospital as a part of their continued airstrikes in Gaza.
“I was deeply saddened and outraged by the explosion of the hospital in Gaza yesterday.”
Biden confirmed America’s support for Israel in his visit.
“I want you to know you’re not alone. We will continue to have Israel’s back as you work to defend your people,” he said.
“We’ll continue to work with you and partners across the region to prevent more tragedy to innocent civilians.”
Photo: Joe Biden by Prachatai available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons licence. This photo has not been modified.
