U.S. President Joe Biden urged for an end to Israel’s war on Gaza in his final address at the United Nations General Assembly. However, his speech immediately sparked criticism. Many noted that he condemned Hamas’s attack on Israel but remained silent on Israel’s brutal assault on Gaza. Critics called out the hypocrisy of focusing on one side while ignoring the devastation caused by Israel.
Condemning Hamas, But Not Israel
Biden opened his speech by condemning the October 7th attack by Hamas. He described how thousands of Hamas fighters invaded Israel, killing more than 1,200 people, including 46 Americans. He highlighted how civilians were slaughtered at home and at a music festival. His speech also condemned the sexual violence and kidnapping of 250 hostages. Biden expressed empathy, saying he had met with the families of the hostages.
However, many pointed out that he did not condemn Israel’s ongoing airstrikes on Gaza, which have led to massive civilian casualties. Critics accused Biden of bias, as his speech was harsh on Hamas but avoided addressing Israel’s military operations. While he did acknowledge the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, his failure to condemn Israel’s actions appeared one-sided.
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Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Biden admitted that “innocent civilians in Gaza are also going through hell.” He acknowledged the loss of thousands of lives, including aid workers, and described how many families had been displaced. They are now crowded into tents and facing extreme conditions.
Despite this, Biden did not condemn Israel for its role in creating this humanitarian disaster. Instead, he repeated that the war began because of Hamas and did not mention the destruction caused by Israeli airstrikes. His remarks left many unsatisfied, as they felt he downplayed the suffering of Palestinians.
Call for Ceasefire
Biden shared details of his efforts to broker a ceasefire. He mentioned working with Qatar and Egypt to propose a ceasefire and hostage deal, which has been endorsed by the UN Security Council. “Now is the time for the parties to finalize its terms,” he said, stressing the importance of bringing the hostages home and securing both Israel and Gaza from Hamas control.
However, his peace proposal once again focused primarily on Hamas, with little mention of Israel’s role in the ongoing violence. This imbalance in his approach fueled further criticism.
Preventing a Wider War
Biden also addressed the broader regional conflict. He emphasized the need to prevent the war from expanding, as Hezbollah has already joined in by launching rockets from Lebanon into Israel. He acknowledged that many civilians on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border remain displaced, almost a year after the conflict began.
“Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” Biden warned, even as tensions rise between Israel and Lebanon. He reiterated that a diplomatic solution remains possible and necessary for lasting security. Despite the rising violence, Biden emphasized diplomacy as the only way forward.
Criticism of Hypocrisy
Biden’s refusal to directly condemn Israel’s military actions left many frustrated. His speech highlighted the horrors inflicted by Hamas but sidestepped Israel’s role in escalating violence. For many observers, Biden’s remarks reflected a one-sided approach, reinforcing the perception of U.S. bias in the conflict.
As Biden called for peace and security, the lack of a strong rebuke toward Israel undermined his message for many. The world continues to watch closely, as the conflict rages on, and efforts for peace remain fragile.
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