What is the US stance on Israel in the wake of President Joe Biden’s Hanukkah speech?
In the latest chapter of the Joe Biden Chronicles, our protagonist boldly donned the cape of a self-proclaimed Zionist superhero during a Hanukkah reception at the White House. Here’s what it means for Israel.
What
In the wake of recent developments, the United States, led by President Joe Biden, has reaffirmed its commitment to supplying arms to Israel in its conflict with Gaza. Biden expressed concern about global antisemitism and applauded the administration's aid efforts for Gaza.
However, he cautioned Israel to be mindful of changing global sentiment and urged the dismantling of the Palestinian group Hamas - because apparently, public opinion can shift faster than the time it takes to approve a white phosphorus munitions sale.
Joe and Bibi
Despite occasionally having disagreements with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden revealed the depth of their friendship by reminiscing about a message he wrote in 1973.
Biden's speech
In an expected revelation, Biden declared himself a Zionist, boldly asserting that one doesn't have to be Jewish to be a Zionist at the White House Hanukkah celebrations. Without missing a beat, he claimed,
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Jewish elders
Meanwhile in a recent protest, a group of Jewish elders, armed with black T-shirts reading "Not In Our Name", chained themselves to the White House fence. In a heartwarming display of geriatric rebellion, they chanted,
UNGA ceasefire
Most recently, in the United Nations General Assembly, a non-binding resolution demanding an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza passed with overwhelming support from 153 countries, including India. However, the champions of dissent - the United States and Israel - stood unsurprisingly tall in opposition.
Ambassadors and diplomats, presumably exhausted from the gripping vote count, burst into applause at the shocking revelation that more countries supported this resolution than the previous one, celebrating this purely symbolic victory over a very real genocide.
The US stance, as indicated by Biden's statements and actions, emphasises continued military assistance to Israel until the removal of Hamas. It doesn't seem like that's about to change anytime soon, despite recent developments.