US President Joe Biden said it all in his public address about the heinous crimes against humanity perpetrated by Hamas, that launched a war everyone feared in the Middle East.
It took one sentence: “We stand with Israel,” to convey how staunchly the United States supports Israel in the face of our national tragedy. He also relayed the message “don’t,” to send an unequivocal warning to those enemies of Israel who may misjudge this as a window of opportunity.
These are the darkest of times in Israel. Having incurred a murderous and savage attack from Hamas that left over 1,000 slaughtered Israelis, an atrocity on an appalling scale and also with a massive hostage situation. More than 100 Israelis were kidnapped into the Gaza Strip during the events of October 7, including women, children, babies, Holocaust survivors, and scores of young Israelis celebrating at the Supernova Festival.
Not only did Hamas terrorists kidnap and terrorize their victims in the most inhumane manner, but they took care to document their actions creating horrendous video clips and images and rapidly distributing these through social media, sometimes using their victims’ phones and social platforms. No doubt this was meant to exponentially increase the terror and pain of the Israeli population with the hope of inflicting severe consequences for Israeli society.
What Hamas did not take into consideration, it seems, is how this horrific body of evidence of the organization’s true nature – an ISIS twin– would backfire and create global support for the immediate return of Israeli hostages. This is no longer an Israeli issue, but a clear case of crimes against humanity, and humanity is standing with Israel so that neither Hamas nor its supporters such as Iran and Qatar can escape their absolute responsibility for the humane treatment and immediate return of these hostages.
A clear and blunt message to Iran
Many of those slaughtered and kidnapped by Hamas were foreign nationals. President Biden spoke of 14 Americans killed and others held hostage. There are also citizens from France, the UK, Canada, Thailand, China, Nepal, and elsewhere who were also victimized, either slain or kidnapped.
Beyond the unequivocal moral and value-based support for Israel, President Biden sent a clear and blunt message to Iran: Don’t. No doubt, Iranian involvement in the war through its proxy Hezbollah would greatly complicate the Israeli war effort. Hezbollah holds over 130,000 rockets and various other missiles targeting Israel in its entirety and while Israel has long been preparing for this scenario, it could strain both the IDF and the civilian front especially while war is already raging in Gaza.
Therefore, the insinuation that such involvement by Hezbollah will encounter a US response, possibly even directed at the source of Hezbollah’s command is of immense significance, especially when it is coupled with actions such as the arrival in the region of aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the preparations for augmenting US aircraft in the region and an indication of further forces, as necessary. Anyone watching the war in Ukraine understands that when President Biden promises support, he delivers.
Israel has never asked the United States or any nation to fight in its stead, but it is now evident that it will not be forced to fight alone. Despite any and all differences, in Israel’s hour of need, the United States stands staunchly with its ally.
Biden understands Israel's spirit
Finally, it must be noted how well President Biden understands the spirit of the Israeli people. Shocked, grieved, in pain and disbelief, reservists did not wait to be called but took arms and aided in the rescue and evacuation of their people.
At great risk to their own lives, medical staff are working around the clock. Civilians are volunteering in every way, under heavy rocket fire, providing mental health support, donating to food and shelter funds, and the support is overflowing in so many ways.
We are a nation forced once more to show its extraordinary strength and resilience, a nation of lions. Here again, President Biden said it all: “Our hearts are broken, but our resolve is clear.”
The writer is a former director for US-Israel relations at the Israel National Security Council, former director of the Council for Peace and Security, and a founding member of the Devorah Forum.