President Biden to emphasize importance of standing up for Israel during visit: White House

Washington, DC [US], October 18 (ANI): On Joe Biden’s upcoming visit to Israel, US’ National Security Council (NSC) coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby has said that during his visit, the President will talk about how important it is for the US and other partners to stand up for Israel and allow them to continue to defend themselves against Hamas terrorists.

Ahead of Biden’s highly anticipated arrival in Israel, the White House official in a video posted on X, said, “…President Biden will have two stops, Tel Aviv and Amman, Jordan. In both these stops, he will talk about how important it is for the US and other partners to stand up for Israel and allow them to continue to defend themselves against Hamas terrorists. The US support will stay strong and steady…President will also spend time talking with leaders in Israel and Jordan about the plight of those hostages that Hamas is holding, including some Americans…”

“The President will spend a lot of time talking about the humanitarian situation in Gaza for the Palestinian people…This is a critical time, a critical trip, and a very important opportunity, not just for the President, but for leaders across the region to make sure that we send a strong signal to terrorists and a strong signal to innocent civilians who are impacted by this conflict,” he said.

US President Joe Biden will reach Israel on Wednesday to stand in solidarity in the face of Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack and to consult on the next steps.

Informing about the same, Biden said on Tuesday that he will travel to Jordan to meet with leaders and address dire humanitarian needs.

Sharing on his social media, ‘X’, he said, “I’m travelling to Israel tomorrow to stand in solidarity in the face of Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack and to consult on the next steps. I’ll then travel to Jordan to meet with leaders and address dire humanitarian needs–and make clear that Hamas does not stand for Palestinians’ right to self-determination.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken while addressing a press conference on Tuesday informed that President Biden is coming to Israel at a “critical moment” and will reaffirm the US’ solidarity with Israel.

“US President Joe Biden will visit Israel on Wednesday. He is coming here at a critical moment for Israel, for the region, and for the world. President Biden will reaffirm the United States’ solidarity with Israel. President Biden will again make clear, as he’s done unequivocally since Hamas’s slaughter of more than 1,400 people, including at least 30 Americans, that Israel has the right and indeed the duty to defend its people from Hamas and other terrorists and to prevent future attacks,” he said.

He further added by saying that President Biden will continue to coordinate closely with the Israeli partners to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

Blinken noted that President Biden will also receive a comprehensive brief on Israel’s war aims and strategy.

“The President will hear from Israel how it will conduct its operations in a way that minimizes civilian casualties and enables humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in Gaza in a way that does not benefit Hamas.

He further noted that the US and Israel have developed a plan that will help in providing humanitarian aid to the civilians in Gaza.

“To that end, today and at our request, the United States and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza and them alone, including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm’s way. It is critical that aid begins flowing into Gaza as soon as possible,” he added.

Earlier on Monday, Spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Tal Heinrich announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden to visit Israel and hopes to host the president soon.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu invited US President Joe Biden to Israel, and we hope to host the president soon. We are truly grateful for the support of the united front against the commons,” the Spokesperson for the Israeli PMO said.