The president of the United States travels all around the world. Joe Biden has visited 23 countries as the American leader. On October 18, President Biden flew to Israel. He met with Israel’s leader, Benjamin Netanyahu. And he explained the purpose of the trip to the Middle East.
“I come to Israel with a simple message,” said President Biden. “You’re not alone. You are not alone as long as the United States stands — and we will stand forever.”
President Biden was showing support for Israel after attacks on the country on October 7. On that date, a group called Hamas sent thousands of rockets from an area called Gaza. Hamas fighters also crossed the border. More than 1,400 people in Israel were killed during the attack. Israel responded by declaring war and firing rockets into Gaza. At least 2,800 people were killed in Gaza. Most people killed during this conflict were .
A group of people called Palestinians live in Gaza. Palestinians believe they should have some of the land in Israel. The two groups have fought several times for that control. However, the recent conflict is the worst in 50 years. President Biden became the first U.S. president to visit Israel during a war. And he hoped he could help bring peace to the area — and help the people as well.
Biden acknowledged that people may be feeling “shock, pain, and rage” following the attacks. But he warned people not to react with more violence. “As hard as it is,” Biden explained, “we must keep peace.”
President Biden also worked to support the people of Gaza. “Palestinians are suffering greatly as well,” he explained. Biden vowed to send $100 million to Gaza. That will help more than 1 million Palestinians affected by the war. Biden asked Israel to allow other countries to send aid to Gaza. On October 18, Israel agreed to let Egypt send food, water, and medicine to the Palestinian people. Egypt shares a border with Gaza.
Most people in Israel follow the Jewish religion. “The state of Israel was born to be a safe place for the Jewish people of the world,” said Biden. “Israel must again be a safe place for the Jewish people,” he added. The U.S. president also made a promise: “We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that it will be.”
Biden also spoke about an event called the Holocaust. More than 6 million Jewish people were killed during that time, from 1941 to 1945. “The world watched then and knew, and the world did nothing,” he said. “We will not stand by and do nothing again. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.”
Updated October 18, 2023, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Russell Kahn (Russ)
