US President Biden rejects genocide allegations against Israel in Gaza

Biden addressed dozens of guests gathered in the Rose Garden, where he rejected claims that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, criticized a request by the International Criminal Court for warrants against Israeli leaders for war crimes, and criticized Hamas. Pledged support for Israel in the war against Israel.

“I know today's welcome comes at a difficult time. The trauma of October 7 and its aftermath … is still fresh and ongoing for many of you,” Biden said, referring to Hamas attacks last year that killed more than 1,000 Israelis.

“Let me be clear, contrary to the charges brought against Israel by the International Court of Justice, what is happening is not genocide. We reject it,'' he said. “And we will always stand with Israel in the face of threats against its security.”

Other Biden officials have also rejected suggestions in recent weeks that Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has killed thousands of Palestinians and left many without access to adequate food, water and medicine, The Hill reports. Israel is being blamed. People are abandoned, massacres occur.

Guests at Monday's reception included Attorney General Merrick Garland, Senator Jackie Rosen (D-Nev.), Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md. ) were included. Biden also recognized the parents of Harsh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli American who is being held hostage by Hamas.

Biden said his administration is working to negotiate the release of the remaining hostages captured on October 7, “and we're going to get them home.”

The Hill reported that the president has tried to tread carefully in his approach toward Israel in recent weeks, defending its right to respond to Hamas and repeatedly condemning anti-Semitism in the wake of the attack . But, at the same time, he is also calling on Israel to allow more aid into Gaza and urging the country to do more to protect civilians.

On Monday, Biden remained steadfast in his support of Israel. “We stand with Israel to take out Sinwar and the rest of the butchers of Hamas,” Biden said, referring to Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. “We want Hamas to be defeated. “We have worked with Israel to do this.”

The president also condemned anti-Semitic incidents on college campuses and elsewhere, which have increased sharply in the months since the October 7 attacks in Israel.

“In America, we respect and protect the fundamental rights of free speech to protest peacefully. That is America,” Biden said. “But there is no room for anti-Semitic or hate speech of any kind against Jews or anyone else, on any campus in America, anywhere in America.”

The second gentleman, Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish and has been at the forefront of White House efforts to combat anti-Semitism, also addressed the crowd on Monday.

Emhoff told attendees that “no one is fighting harder than Biden and Vice President Harris to fight hate and unite our country”. But he acknowledged that many Jews across the country, including himself, have faced hardships in recent months, The Hill reports.

“Some days it's really challenging for me to put myself out there and do this thing in public. And I know it's hard for you too,'' Emhoff said. “But we keep fighting because we have no choice but to fight.”