Biden announces drastic measures for aid in Gaza / Criticizes Trump in the speech on the state of the country

2024-03-08 16:57:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Biden announces drastic measures for aid in Gaza / Criticizes Trump in the

President Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden used his third State of the Union address on Thursday night to announce a dramatic move to ease the flow of aid to Gaza, called for approval of aid to Ukraine and warned the country of the threat posed by former President Donald Trump, who is expected to be his rival in the November presidential election. This may be President Biden's most important speech before the November election.

Like many American presidents in the final year of their first term, President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address with one important goal in mind: to convince the American people that he deserves another four-year term.

"Tonight, we can proudly say that our country is strong and getting stronger!"

He addressed voters' concerns about his advanced age and mental abilities, using it against former President Donald Trump, who is expected to be the Republican presidential nominee he will face in the November election. .

"The issue facing our country is not our age, but that of our ideas. Hate, anger, revenge and punishment are the oldest ideas. But you can't lead America with ancient ideas."

While not technically a campaign speech, President Biden had a clear message for voters: Mr. Trump is a major threat to democracy.

President Biden reminded Americans of the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by supporters of former President Trump, seeking to overturn his victory in the 2020 election.

"My predecessor and some of you here are trying to bury the truth about January 6. I'm not going to do that," President Biden said.

As Israel continues its offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, President Biden announced a dramatic move to deliver much-needed aid to the Palestinians.

"I have directed the US military to lead a mission to build a temporary port in the Mediterranean off the coast of Gaza, where large ships carrying food, water and medicine can dock. No US soldiers will be deployed on the ground." Mr. Biden said.

It is not clear whether this plan will be enough to appease progressive Democrats, Arab-Americans and other Muslim voters in America who are outraged by Mr. Biden's unwavering support for Israel. Hundreds of people protested outside the building of Congress as he delivered the speech. President Biden underscored Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas while calling for a temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages being held by the militant group.

And in a rare criticism of Israel, he expressed frustration at the lack of aid and the high death toll in the Gaza Strip.

"To Israel's leadership, I say this: humanitarian aid cannot be of secondary importance or a bargaining chip. The protection and rescue of innocent civilians must be a priority. As we look to the future, the only real solution to the situation there it is the one with two states", he said.

Mr. Biden's foreign policy goals have been overshadowed by House Republicans' obstruction of a $95 billion Senate-passed bill that includes funds to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia. . President Biden called on Republicans to pass the bill.

"My message to President Putin, whom I have known for a long time, is simple. We will not back down. We will not bend. I will not bow down.”

President Biden urged Congress to pass a bill on immigration and border security, an issue important to American voters.

He blamed Republicans and Mr Trump for the impasse, accusing them of using the situation on the US-Mexico border as a political issue.

"We can argue about fixing the border or we can fix it. I'm ready to solve it."

He pledged to protect abortion rights and reproductive rights, a major concern for Democrats in conservative states who have imposed restrictions on those issues.

"Many of you in this room and my predecessor are promising to pass a national ban on reproductive rights. What other rights are you going to take away."

President Biden also praised his policies, calling the US economy "the envy of the world".

He laid out a progressive economic agenda, targeting corporations and the wealthy.

"Billionaires should not pay lower federal taxes than a teacher, a sanitation worker or a nurse."

Alabama Sen. Katie Britt provided the Republican response.

"President Biden simply does not understand reality. He is detached from reality. During his tenure, families have been worse off. Our communities are less safe and our country is less safe,” she said.

The data show that the economy has exceeded the expectations of experts. But inflation remains a top voter concern, creating a potential weakness for Mr. Biden ahead of the presidential election.