President Joe Biden delivered a speech from the Oval Office, advocating for increased funding to support Israel and Ukraine. Despite facing opposition in Washington, he argued that it is in America’s national security interest to see these countries succeed in their battles. President Biden expressed unwavering support for Israel during his recent visit to Tel Aviv, following the Hamas attacks that resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 people, including 32 Americans. He stressed the importance of holding terrorists and dictators accountable to prevent further chaos and destruction.
The president announced his intention to submit a supplemental budget request to Congress to provide aid to both Israel and Ukraine. He emphasized that this investment in America’s national security would yield long-term dividends. Media reports have suggested that the aid package could exceed $100 billion and include funding for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and border security. While there is bipartisan support for assisting Israel, Republicans are growing wary of increased funding for Ukraine. Moreover, the approval of the aid package faces obstacles due to the Republican Party’s struggle to select a new speaker for the House.
President Biden highlighted the shared threat posed by Hamas and Putin, both seeking to annihilate neighboring democracies. He proposed an “unprecedented commitment to Israel’s security,” which would enhance Iron Dome monitoring and deterrence. The president clarified that Israel bore no responsibility for the bombing of a hospital in Gaza and expressed condolences for the loss of innocent Palestinian lives. He cautioned the Israeli government against being led by rage, drawing parallels to America’s response to the 9/11 attacks.
The president’s budget request reportedly includes $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. It also allocates funds for humanitarian aid, border security, and the Indo-Pacific region. Half of the budget for Ukraine would be utilized to replace and modernize U.S. weapons stocks. President Biden underscored the importance of continued financial aid for Ukraine, assuring that American troops would not be deployed there.
While the administration aims to secure funding for both Israel and Ukraine in a single package, some House Republicans oppose this approach. Concerns about corruption and the lack of a clear objective contribute to the resistance. Republicans are also displeased with the disproportionate burden of NATO defense spending borne by the United States. According to Republican political strategist Ford O’Connell, there are doubts about whether the aid provided to Ukraine reaches the intended recipients.
Furthermore, a CNN poll revealed that approximately 71 percent of Americans sympathize with the Israeli people and believe their military response to the Hamas attacks was justifiable. Democrats were more likely than Republicans to express sympathy for the Palestinian people.