The United States President Joe Biden reiterated on Sunday that the US will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages. Biden made the remark while greeting the Muslim community across the world on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, reported PTI.
“While we get more life-saving aid to Gaza, the United States will continue working non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages,” said Biden.
“And we will continue building toward a long-term future of stability, security, and peace. That includes a two-state solution to ensure Palestinians and Israelis share equal measures of freedom, dignity, security, and prosperity. That is the only path toward an enduring peace,” he added.
Biden said that Washington will continue to lead internationl efforts to get more humanitarian assistance into Gaza by land, air, and sea.
“Earlier this week, I directed our military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier on the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments of aid. We are carrying out airdrops of aid, in coordination with our international partners, including Jordan. And we’ll continue to work with Israel to expand deliveries by land, insisting that it facilitate more routes and open more crossings to get more aid to more people,” he said.
In his message, Biden and the First Lady extended their best wishes and prayers to Muslims across the US and around the world as as the new crescent moon marked the beginning of the Islamic holy month.
He also mentioned the killings of Palestinians in Gaza and noted that in the US they have seen an “appalling resurgence” of hate and violence towards Muslim Americans.
“The sacred month is a time for reflection and renewal. This year, it comes at a moment of immense pain. The war in Gaza has inflicted terrible suffering on the Palestinian people. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of them civilians, including thousands of children. Some are family members of American Muslims, who are deeply grieving their lost loved ones today,” he said.
Referring to hate crimes against American Muslims, Biden said Islamophobia has absolutely no place in the United States, a country founded on freedom of worship and built on the contributions of immigrants, including Muslim immigrants.
“My administration is developing the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Related Forms of Bias and Discrimination, to take on hate against Muslims, Sikhs, South Asians, and Arab American communities, wherever it occurs. No one should ever fear being targeted at school, at work, on the street, or in their community because of their background or beliefs,” he said.
“To Muslims across our country, please know that you are deeply valued members of our American family. To those who are grieving during this time of war, I hear you, I see you, and I pray you find solace in your faith, family, and community. And to all who are marking the beginning of Ramadan tonight, I wish you a safe, healthy, and blessed month. Ramadan kareem,” Biden said