November 26, 2023, New York, NY – President Biden has never disappointed when it comes to Israel. His commitment to the Jewish state and people is inspiring. His coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, John Kirby, addressed a briefing for the American Jewish community a day before Thanksgiving. The webinar was organized by Shelley Greenspan, the White House Liaison to the American Jewish Community.
The American Jewish Congress participated in the webinar and some important details were shared that provide context for developments we see unfolding right now in Israel. Let us briefly share them here with you, starting with retired Admiral Kirby’s remarks on the president’s views on Zionism. We want to start by highlighting this because of the level of demonization of Israel and Zionism we saw at some protests over the past weeks. Contrary to that, Zionism is a movement for self-determination for Jewish people that we all can be proud of. Here is what the president thinks about this.
ON ZIONISM
“It is the president’s policy that I am articulating. President Biden says you don’t have to be Jewish to be Zionist.”
Kirby said this in answer to a question by Greenspan on what kept him going during the difficult days after the Oct.7 terror attack on Israel.
“I’m articulating what he believes, where he is coming from,” Kirby said. “The president believes in the Israeli people and the State of Israel.”
ON HOSTAGE DEAL
Kirby said the “deal is a big news” but acknowledged it “does not solve all the problems.” In addition to the release of Israeli hostages, he said “we’ll take advantage of this 4-day pause to deliver additional humanitarian aid to Gaza” including fuel which he said will go to hospitals and desalination plants.
So, this deal between Israel and the terror group is a “significant step” even though it “doesn’t address all the problems, nor is it meant to.”
“We know we are dealing with Hamas; we’ll closely monitor this deal. Hamas is a terrorist organization; we are not taking it at face value.”
He said the deal is a “compromise” and Israel had to take “some tough decisions” and praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with the emir of Qatar and President Al-Sisi of Egypt, and concluded this point by saying the “war is not over” and that the “threat of Hamas is still real to the Israeli people.” And this is why the support of the United States for Israel “will not stop and will not waver” and that the U.S. will continue to give Israel the support it needs for its security, including working with the Congress on supplemental funding.
ON HOSTAGE DIPLOMACY
The deal to release Israeli hostages is the result of “weeks and weeks of hard work” and the efforts to secure their release started from the first week, Kirby said. “President Biden directed the national security team to work by the hour. This is not a hyperbole; not exaggeration,” Kirby explained, adding, “he made personal entreaties to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the emir of Qatar. The president was personally involved. The CIA director and the secretary of state made two whirlwind visits to the region.” Kirby mentioned the roles of National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Middle East coordinator at the National Security Council Brett McGurk, and Coordinator for Middle East Humanitarian issues David Satterfield.
“There was a lot of shallow diplomacy, a lot of starting positions and counteroffers,” Kirby said, but quickly added, “Nobody is doing touchdown dances. Now is the time for execution, we all have to watch it closely, particularly Hamas.”
‘INCURABLE OPTIMIST’
Despite the somber times, Kirby said he shared President Biden’s optimism. “The president says he is an incurable optimist.”
Kirby endorsed the president’s assertion that America is the “essential nation” the world looks up to for leadership.
“America’s leadership around the world matters. Leaders want American leadership on the world stage,” Kirby said, adding he has seen foreign leaders say this to President Biden. “I am not saying we wield that leadership arrogantly [..] The president says America is the essential state. I agree with that.”
As he concluded, Kirby left members of the American Jewish community with this final thought: “Those of us who are not Jewish, on the Thanksgiving table, we are not going to forget you.”
