June 1, 2024, New York, NY – The American Jewish Congress welcomes President Biden’s support for a tentative agreement between Israel and Hamas that would ensure the release of the hostages held in Gaza. The new proposal, presented by Israel’s negotiating team, allows Israel the liberty to continue pursuing its objectives in the current war, including reaching the necessary conditions to guarantee its long-term security.

Innocent children, elderly, women, and men have been held hostage for almost eight months now, under shocking and painful conditions. It is heartening to see President Biden’s personal and heartfelt commitment in guaranteeing their return home, and yesterday’s statement highlights that his administration continues to keep this issue at the top of its agenda.

In addition, yesterday’s announcement is a step that helps alleviate the unfair international pressure that Israel has been subjected to. In his speech, President Biden put the onus on Hamas and showed once again that it is the Hamas terrorists who not only started this deadly war, but also keep it going through their actions, remaining determined to achieve their end goal of killing Jews and eliminating the State of Israel.

The proposal, which includes a phased cease-fire and a structured hostage exchange, provides a roadmap to de-escalation. Nevertheless, we have repeatedly seen Hamas’s bad faith actions in negotiations, including refusing to release the hostages without assurances that they will continue to remain in power in Gaza. Needless to say, the full removal of Hamas’s regime of terror in Gaza remains the sole and most concrete guarantee that another October 7 will not be repeated, as well as a precondition to achieving the long-lasting peace that both the Israeli people and innocent Palestinian civilians greatly deserve.

© 2020 American Jewish Congress.