OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
1:52 PM – Monday, October 7, 2024
On Monday, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris observed the anniversary of the horrific October 7th Hamas attacks against Israel, which resulted in at least 1,200 deaths and hundreds kidnapped.
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They did so while defending Israel’s right to self-defense in the face of fears of the wider Middle East conflict.
Both emphasized the “suffering in Gaza” while still maintaining their steadfast support for Israel. They also both denounced the global rise of anti-Semitism that followed the October 7th attacks in Israel.
“Today marks one year of mourning for the more than 1,200 innocent people of all ages, including 46 Americans, massacred in southern Israel by the terrorist group Hamas,” Biden said. “One year since Hamas committed horrific acts of sexual violence. One year since more than 250 innocents were taken hostage, including 12 Americans. One year for the survivors carrying wounds, seen and unseen, who will never be the same. And one year of a devastating war.”
“On this solemn anniversary, let us bear witness to the unspeakable brutality of the October 7th attacks, but also to the beauty of the lives that were stolen that day,” Biden said in a statement.
In addition to mentioning his travels to Israel sometime after the Hamas attacks, Biden claimed that his administration has enacted continuous efforts to mediate a cease-fire agreement and release the remaining hostages. More than 100 hostages, including several Americans, have been freed by Hamas thus far; nevertheless, other captives have been discovered dead.
“One year later, Vice President Harris and I remain fully committed to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist,” Biden said. “We support Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and Iran. Last week, at my direction, the United States military once again actively assisted in the successful defense of Israel, helping to defeat an Iranian ballistic missile attack.”
“We will not stop working to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza that brings the hostages home, allows for a surge in humanitarian aid to ease the suffering on the ground, assures Israel’s security, and ends this war,” Biden said. “Israelis and Palestinians alike deserve to live in security, dignity, and peace.”
Harris made a statement regarding October 7th as well, essentially parroting the same talking points as Biden, and particularly in regards to the circumstances in Gaza. “Heartbroken over the scale of death and destruction in Gaza over the past year,” she declared.
“It is far past time for a hostage and ceasefire deal to end the suffering of innocent people,” Harris stated. “And I will always fight for the Palestinian people to be able to realize their right to dignity, freedom, security, and self-determination.”
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