Statement from President Joe Biden on Passover

Tomorrow night time, Jews world wide will have fun Passover, recounting their miraculous Exodus story from a whole lot of years of enslavement in Egypt and their journey to freedom. This vacation reminds us of a profound and highly effective reality: that even within the face of persecution, if we maintain on to religion, we will endure and overcome.
 
As Jews mark Passover with storytelling, songs, and rituals, they may even learn from the Haggadah how, in each era, they’ve been focused by those that would search to destroy them. This yr, these phrases carry deeper resonance and ache within the wake of Hamas’ unspeakable evil on October seventh – the deadliest day for the Jewish individuals because the Holocaust. Greater than 1,200 individuals have been brutally massacred. Ladies and ladies have been subjected to appalling sexual violence. Greater than 250 innocents have been taken hostage, together with People. We will always remember the horror of Hamas’ despicable atrocities.
 
Jews world wide are nonetheless dealing with the trauma of that day and its aftermath. This Passover falls notably arduous on hostage households making an attempt to honor the spirit of the vacation – a narrative centered on freedom – whereas their family members stay in captivity. Our hearts are with all of the victims, survivors, households, and associates whose family members have been killed, taken hostage, wounded, displaced, or are in hurt’s manner.
 
My dedication to the protection of the Jewish individuals, the safety of Israel, and its proper to exist as an impartial Jewish state is ironclad. My Administration is working across the clock to free the hostages, and we is not going to relaxation till we deliver them residence. We’re additionally working to determine a direct and extended ceasefire in Gaza as part of a deal that releases the hostages and delivers desperately wanted humanitarian assist to Palestinian civilians. We are going to proceed to work towards a two-state resolution that gives equal safety, prosperity, and enduring peace for Israelis and Palestinians. And we’re main worldwide efforts to make sure Israel can defend itself towards Iran and its proxies, together with by directing the U.S. navy to assist defend Israel towards Iran’s unprecedented assaults final weekend.
 
The traditional story of persecution towards Jews within the Haggadah additionally reminds us that we should converse out towards the alarming surge of Antisemitism – in our colleges, communities, and on-line. Silence is complicity. Even in current days, we’ve seen harassment and requires violence towards Jews. This blatant Antisemitism is reprehensible and harmful – and it has completely no place on school campuses, or wherever in our nation. My Administration will proceed to talk out and aggressively implement the first-ever Nationwide Technique to Counter Antisemitism, placing the complete drive of the federal authorities behind defending the Jewish neighborhood.
 
This yr, allow us to bear in mind the central Passover theme that even within the darkest of instances, the promise of God’s safety will give us energy to seek out hope, resilience, and redemption. To all these celebrating this Competition of Freedom: Jill and I want you a Glad Passover, Chag Sameach.

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