AJC Statement on President Biden's Address to UN General Assembly

President Biden has long been a stalwart defender of Israel and his stirring address to the UN General Assembly sent an unequivocal message to the world that his support and that of the United States for Israel remains ironclad.

"The world must not flinch from the horrors of October 7," the President declared from the General Assembly podium today. "Any country - any country - would have the right and responsibility to ensure that such a fact could never happen again."

The President also spoke of the necessity to free the hostages still held by Hamas, of the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza held in "Hamas' grip," and of the displacement of Israelis and Lebanese civilians caused by Hezbollah's initiation of a war across Israel's northern border.

As the end of his term approaches, we thank President Biden for providing the moral clarity that has so often been lacking since Hamas massacred 1,200 people in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and Hezbollah launched daily attacks on Israel from Lebanon the day after.

The United States recognized Israel minutes after it declared independence more than 76 years ago. The friendship between both nations - and their cooperation across multiple sectors - has only grown stronger with each passing year. President Biden deserves credit for extending and deepening that vital relationship, ensuring that the only democracy in the Middle East can continue to flourish and protect its people.