WASHINGTON: In a rare Oval Office address, President Joe Biden made a compelling case for the importance of Israel and Ukraine’s success in their respective conflicts, framing it as essential for America’s national security.
The President articulated that if international aggression were left unchecked, it could lead to conflict and chaos spreading across the globe.
Biden underscored the common thread between the threats posed by Hamas and Putin, noting that both sought to eliminate neighboring democracies. To support these nations, he announced an urgent funding request to Congress, expected to amount to approximately $100 billion over the next year. This proposal, to be officially revealed on Friday, encompasses financial aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, humanitarian assistance, and border management.
The President emphasized the strategic wisdom of this investment, asserting it would yield dividends for American security across generations. By bundling these issues into a single legislative package, Biden aims to garner the necessary political coalition for congressional approval.
The address came on the heels of President Biden’s significant visit to Israel, where he expressed solidarity with the nation in its ongoing battle against Hamas and advocated for increased humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. He also made efforts to reassure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the U.S.’ unwavering support.
Tonight @POTUS outlined the importance of American leadership and our network of alliances for our national security.
"American values are what make us a partner that other nations want to work with." pic.twitter.com/8knSFRl9bW— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 20, 2023
President Biden faces formidable challenges as he seeks to secure funding. The Republican-controlled House is currently grappling with leadership issues, further complicating the situation. Additionally, some conservative Republicans are wary of providing more weaponry to Ukraine, whose struggle against the Russian invasion approaches its two-year mark. A previous funding request of $24 billion was omitted from budget legislation, despite a personal plea from President Zelensky, making the need for timely assistance all the more pressing.
In the case of military aid for Israel, there is opposition from progressive Democrats who criticize the country’s actions in response to the Hamas attack on October 7. They have accused Israel of indiscriminate civilian casualties and war crimes, particularly in terms of essential supplies cutoff.
Bipartisan support for Israel has shown signs of erosion in recent years, as progressive Democrats have grown increasingly vocal about their opposition to Israel’s long-standing occupation of Palestinian territory, which is widely deemed illegal by the international community.
The internal dissent extends to the Biden administration, as seen in the resignation of Josh Paul, a State Department official overseeing foreign arms sales. Paul’s departure was prompted by U.S. policy on weapon transfers to Israel, which he found short-sighted, destructive, unjust, and at odds with American values.
While in Tel Aviv, President Biden assured Israel that they would never be alone, but he also cautioned against allowing anger to consume them, drawing parallels to the post-9/11 United States and the need for clear objectives in wartime decision-making.
An Oval Office address is a platform of immense prestige for a president, offering an opportunity to capture the nation’s attention during moments of crisis. Major networks such as ABC, NBC, and CBS interrupted regular programming to broadcast the address live.
President Biden has delivered just one other such address during his presidency, following the passage of bipartisan budget legislation to avert a national debt default.
Key lawmakers have been briefed by the White House and senior administration officials regarding the planned supplemental funding request. The Senate aims for swift action on Biden’s proposal, exerting pressure on the Republican-controlled House to resolve leadership issues and return to legislative work.
However, there are differences of opinion within the Senate on the best course of action. A group of eight Republicans, led by Kansas Senator Roger Marshall, opposes combining assistance for Ukraine and Israel in the same legislation, deeming these as unrelated conflicts.
The proposed funding for Taiwan acknowledges the potential for additional international conflicts, particularly with China’s ambitions to reunify the self-governing island with the mainland, possibly through force. While immediate concerns have been centered on conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, President Biden views Asia as the primary arena in the global struggle for influence.
The Biden administration’s national security strategy, issued last year, characterizes China as America’s most significant geopolitical challenge.
