7th October, 2023
U.S. President Joe Biden offered Israel on Saturday “all appropriate means of support” after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a blitzkrieg attack against Israel early Saturday.
Biden warned “any other party hostile to Israel” not to seek advantage.
The attack from the Iran-backed Islamist group erupted amid efforts by Biden and his team to negotiate a landmark normalization agreement between foes Israel and Saudi Arabia and a U.S.-Saudi defense pact.
Biden spoke by phone to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to offer U.S. support, with scenes of violence playing out on American news networks.
The two leaders have had strained relations but met in New York last month in a show of solidarity.
“I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the government and people of Israel,” Biden said in a statement issued after their call.
Biden also issued a blunt warning.
“Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation,” he said.