Biden doubles down on support for Israel at White House Hanukkah celebration but cautions Netanyahu to be ‘careful’ because the ‘whole world’s public opinion can shift overnight’

President Joe Biden doubled down on his support for Israel Monday night during Chanukah celebrations at the White House, but also warned the Jewish state's leaders that they needed to be “careful” as “public opinion around the world shifts from one to the next.” day can change.'

Biden was joined at the menorah lighting by Second Gen. Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, and about 800 guests, who packed into the East Room of the White House, calling his commitment to the security of the Jewish people and to Israel “unwavering.” .

“You don't have to be a Jew to be a Zionist,” Biden said, while also offering, “folks, if there was no Israel, there wouldn't be a Jew in the world who was safe.”

But the president also distanced himself from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a leader he has known for decades, as criticism has grown over Israel's killing of civilians in Gaza, while Israeli forces seek to eliminate the Hamas terror group in the aftermath of the terrorist acts of October 7. terrorist attack.

Biden said Netanyahu has a photo of the two of them on his desk when they were younger, on which the Democrat had written, “Bibi, I love you, but I don't agree with what you have to say.”

“Today it's about the same,” Biden said, laughing.

Second Gen. Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, lights the first flame of the menorah Monday evening as the White House held its annual Hanukkah reception. Emhoff has been put in charge of an initiative to help combat anti-Semitism

The president said the US would continue to support the Israeli military in its effort to get rid of Hamas.

'But, but we have to be careful. They have to be careful,” Biden said. 'Public opinion around the world can change overnight. We can't let that happen.'

Biden said he would continue to push for the release of the Israeli hostages by Hamas.

“And we won't stop until we get them all home,” he promised.

The president also pledged to “lead the world in providing humanitarian assistance to innocent Palestinian civilians.”

“To emphasize to our Israeli friends that we really need to protect civilian life,” Biden said.

“And let me be clear: Hamas's use of rape, sexual violence, terrorism and torture of Israeli women and girls is abhorrent and inexcusable,” Biden said, telling the crowd he had seen some of the photos. “It was beyond reason, it was beyond understanding.”

President Joe Biden walks onto the stage during the Hanukkah reception at the White House on Monday evening. During brief remarks, he doubled down on his support for Israel but warned the Israeli government to be “cautious” as outrage has arisen over the killing of Palestinian civilians.

President Joe Biden spoke about how his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu goes back decades, noting how a photo in Bibi's office of Biden reads: 'Bibi, I love you, but I don't agree with what you have to say . '

“We must all condemn this brutality without any doubt and without exception,” he added.

He also told the Jewish community gathered at the White House that he understood they were hurt by the “silence and fear for your safety,” and called the upsurge in anti-Semitism “sickening.”

Biden met with Holocaust survivors and their families before taking the stage.

He also gave a special shout-out to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who recently gave a speech condemning anti-Semitism.

Since the war began, anti-Semitism in America has increased 388 percent, Jonathan Greenblatt, director and CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said earlier this month.

Emhoff has taken the lead for the government by speaking out against the wave of anti-Semitism.

“We call on all Americans to make it clear that there is no place for hatred in America, against Jews, Muslims or anyone else,” Biden said.

The president then told a story about a menorah on display in the White House this Chanukah, found by a father in a home on an Israeli kibbutz after his son was murdered and his wife and daughter were forced to bury themselves for twenty hours. hide from Hamas terrorists. .

“He pulled something completely intact out of the ashes, a menorah,” Biden said. “A reminder, a reminder to hold on to the miracle of hope and faith, because if we do, no night will be so dark that we cannot find light.”

“No one knows that better than the Jewish people,” the president added, wishing the crowd a happy Hanukkah.