President Biden on Friday marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day, saying in a statement that it is “more urgent than ever” that Americans remember the atrocities and evils of the Nazis and the dangers of anti-Semitism. Stated.
Biden mourned the deaths of millions of Jews during the Holocaust, as well as the killings of disabled people, Roma people, LGBTQ individuals and other groups targeted by the Nazis. He said this year's Remembrance Day was particularly poignant because of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in October that killed more than 1,000 Israelis.
Noting that the Hamas attack marked the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, Biden said, “This year, the indictment that we will never forget the Holocaust, the evil of Nazism, and the scourge of anti-Semitism is more pressing than ever.” “It's become something like that,” he said.
“In the aftermath of Hamas's brutal massacre, we witnessed an alarming rise in vile anti-Semitism at home and abroad, bringing to the surface the painful scars of thousands of years of Jewish hatred and genocide,” Biden said. Stated. “That is unacceptable. We remember everything that Jewish Holocaust survivors went through, and we cannot sit idly by and watch Jews be attacked and targeted again today.
“We must also vigorously resist attempts to ignore, deny, distort and modify history without ambiguity or exception,” he continued. “This includes efforts to minimize Holocaust denialism and the horrors committed by Hamas on October 7, particularly the horrific and unacceptable use of rape and sexual violence to terrorize victims. I can do it.”
Biden vowed to continue fighting anti-Semitism and “all forms of hate-motivated violence” and to bring home those still held hostage by Hamas.
The Anti-Defamation League has reported a spike in anti-Semitic incidents in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks, and the Biden administration has announced steps to reduce the resulting threat to Jews. is being taught.
Last year, the White House also released the outline of the first national strategy to combat anti-Semitism, which includes recommendations for state and local governments and social media platforms.
Biden has been a staunch supporter of Israel and Jews since the October 7 attacks, but faces sustained protests from pro-Palestinian activists as Israeli forces carry out military operations in Gaza. .
The White House has repeatedly said it does not support a complete ceasefire between Hamas and Israel because it would give Hamas an opportunity to reorganize, but it would force Israel to minimize civilian casualties and allow humanitarian aid to Gaza. I'm asking you to.
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