On the occasion of Ramadan, U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized that he will continue efforts to deliver more aid to the Gaza Strip and work towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire. Biden stated in a message about the immense tragedy faced by Palestinians in Gaza due to the Israeli war. He said, "This year comes at a moment of tremendous pain. The war in Gaza has caused terrible suffering for the Palestinian people. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, including thousands of children. Some are members of American Muslim families who feel deep sorrow for their loved ones lost today. The war has displaced nearly two million Palestinians, many of whom are in urgent need of food, water, medicine, and shelter. As Muslims around the world gather in the coming days and weeks to break their fast, the suffering of the Palestinian people will be at the forefront of many minds. It is also on my mind."
He also stated that the U.S. "will continue to lead international efforts to deliver more humanitarian aid to Gaza by land, air, and sea." He noted that he has "directed military forces to launch an urgent mission to establish a temporary pier on the Gaza coast to receive large shipments of aid. We are conducting air drops of aid in coordination with our international partners, including Jordan."
He continued, "We will continue to work with Israel to expand land delivery operations, insisting on facilitating more routes and opening more crossings to deliver more aid to a greater number of people." He reaffirmed the necessity of reaching a two-state solution, saying, "We will continue to build towards a long-term future of stability, security, and peace. This includes a two-state solution to ensure that Palestinians and Israelis share equal standards of freedom, dignity, security, and prosperity. This is the only path to lasting peace."
As the president pointed to incidents of hate against American Muslims, he said, "Here at home, we have witnessed a horrific resurgence of hate and violence towards American Muslims. Islamophobia has no place in the United States, a nation founded on the freedom of worship and built on the contributions of immigrants, including Muslim immigrants." He clarified that his administration is developing "the nation's first-ever strategy to combat Islamophobia and related forms of bias and discrimination, to confront hate against Muslim, Sikh, South Asian, and Arab American communities, wherever it exists."
The U.S. president concluded with a message to Muslims across the country: "Please know that you are valued members of our American family. To those who are feeling sorrow during this time of war, I hear you and see you, and I pray that you find comfort in your faith, family, and community. For all who are celebrating the beginning of Ramadan tonight, I wish you a safe, healthy, and blessed month. Ramadan Kareem."
