Biden repeatedly stressed that he will not back down from supporting Israel and supplying it with weapons (Reuters)
US President Joe Biden on Monday congratulated Muslims on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan and consoled them regarding the terrible suffering of the residents of the Gaza Strip, as a result of the ongoing Israeli war since the seventh of last October.
This comes in conjunction with Biden continuing to provide the strongest military, intelligence, and diplomatic support to Israel, as his administration continued to ship weapons to Israel and used its veto power 3 times against Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Biden said in a statement published on the White House website, “Jill (his wife) and I extend our best wishes and prayers to Muslims throughout our country and around the world.”
He added that Ramadan "this year comes at a moment of tremendous pain. The war in Gaza has caused terrible suffering to the Palestinian people. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, including thousands of children, some of whom are family members of American Muslims who today feel deep sadness."
He continued, "The war has displaced about two million Palestinians, many of whom are in dire need of food, water, medicine, and shelter."
As a result of the war, the residents of the Gaza Strip have been in the grips of a famine that has been claiming the lives of children and the elderly for days, in light of the severe scarcity of food, water, medicine and fuel supplies in the Strip, which is inhabited by about 2.2 million Palestinians and has been besieged by Israel for 17 years.
“As Muslims around the world gather over the coming days and weeks to break their fast, the suffering of the Palestinian people will be my top priority,” Biden said.
He pledged that the United States would continue to lead international efforts to deliver more humanitarian aid to Gaza by land, air, and sea.
He said he would continue to work non-stop to reach an immediate ceasefire for at least 6 weeks "as part of the hostage release deal."
Biden addressed Muslims in the United States, saying, "I pray to God that you find solace in your faith, your family, and your community. And to all who celebrate the beginning of the month of Ramadan, I wish you a safe, healthy, and blessed month. Ramadan Kareem."
Source: Anadolu Agency