White House representatives announced on Monday night that President Joe Biden will travel to Israel later this week to demonstrate America’s continued commitment to its embattled ally. The diplomatic visit scheduled for Wednesday was announced just one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to meet with Israeli leaders in a show of solidarity was rejected without explanation.
President Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday “to demonstrate his steadfast support for Israel in the face of Hamas’s brutal terrorist attack and to consult on next steps,” read a statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
“President Biden will then travel to Amman, Jordan, where he will meet with His Majesty King Abdullah, Egyptian President Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas,” the statement continued. “He will reiterate that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination and discuss the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza.”
President Biden confirmed the travel plan in a statement via X, saying that his visit to Jordan will “address dire humanitarian needs.”
On Wednesday, I'll travel to Israel to stand in solidarity in the face of Hamas's brutal terrorist attack.
I'll then travel to Jordan to address dire humanitarian needs, meet with leaders, and make clear that Hamas does not stand for Palestinians' right to self-determination.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 17, 2023
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Biden’s trip will coincide with a strengthening of America’s military presence in the region, including the deployment of two aircraft carrier groups, Air Force fighter jets, and a rapid response unit of 2,000 US Marines. The Biden administration hopes that the show of strength will keep the conflict between Hamas and Israel confined to Gaza and prevent other hostile groups like Hezbollah (an Iranian-backed terror group in Lebanon to the north) from getting involved.
While the United States has not officially stipulated that Israel’s ground campaign in Gaza be delayed until Biden departs, sources familiar with the matter indicate that an informal understanding has been reached on the matter. If this proves to be the case, Biden will likely use his visit to push for greater protections for Palestinian civilians before Israel crosses the border.
Biden will arrive in Israel two days after Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned there for his second visit since the invasion.
I returned to Israel to meet with @IsraeliPM Netanyahu. We discussed U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself and its citizens from Hamas’ terrorism. pic.twitter.com/qoX5074VAM
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) October 16, 2023
But according to Israeli news sources, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had requested to accompany Blinken’s delegation in a show of support and solidarity with Israel. To Zelensky’s disappointment, however, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu replied that the “time is not right” for such a visit, though one may be possible at a later date.
Zelensky, who comes from a Jewish family, has issued strong statements in support of Israel, saying “The world must stand united… so that terror does not attempt to take or destroy life anywhere and at any moment.”
American aid packages for both Ukraine and Israel are pending in Congress while the House of Representatives works to appoint a new Speaker. President Biden has pushed for a resolution to the internal drama so that additional relief funds can be approved.
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