President Biden Denounces Antisemitism and Reaffirms Commitment to Israel During Holocaust Memorial Ceremony

At the U.S. Capitol’s Holocaust Memorial Ceremony, President Joe Biden passionately recalled the atrocities faced by Jewish people and reiterated his unwavering support for Israel.

In his address, Biden linked the importance of remembering the Holocaust to the recent attack by Hamas on October 7, the most severe single-day assault on Jews since the Second World War. “Only seven and a half months have passed, and already there’s a fading of memory. But let’s not forget, it was Hamas who instigated the attacks, took hostages, and inflicted terror,” Biden emphasized.

Highlighting the rise in antisemitism globally and especially in America, Biden pointed out the surge in hateful messages across social media. The Anti-Defamation League reported a shocking increase in antisemitic incidents on campuses post-October 7, with 732 events recorded, marking a 1062% increase from the previous year.

The President expressed concern over the safety of Jewish students at colleges who now feel compelled to hide symbols of their faith due to fear of harassment.

During his keynote speech at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Days of Remembrance ceremony — aligned with Israel’s Yom HaShoah — Biden honored the memory of six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

He noted that Hamas, labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S., killed approximately 1,200 people in an attack in southern Israel, taking around 250 hostages. He also mentioned the retaliatory actions by Israel, which resulted in over 34,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry controlled by Hamas.

Amid an election period, Biden is seeking to balance his firm support for Israel with the diverse opinions of his younger, progressive voter base, many of whom have shown strong empathy towards Palestinians. This sentiment is mirrored in recent protests at various colleges against the Israeli offensives in Gaza, which have seen significant civilian casualties.

Despite calls for a cease-fire and cautioning against further escalations, Biden has remained steadfast in his support for the Jewish community and Israel’s security, declaring it “ironclad,” even amidst disagreements.

Concluding his speech, Biden stressed the importance of remembering history’s harsh lessons, advocating for zero tolerance towards hate against any group, and reinforcing the nation’s foundational principles of justice and human rights.