PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, JOE BIDEN: Thank you, Rabbi, for the introduction. And before I begin, I want to say that we are preparing for the possibility of another hurricane hitting Florida, and that is what I have been doing, and that is why I had to postpone these meetings several times. And I apologize.

I have directed my team to do everything in our power to save lives and help communities before, during, and after the hurricane – the one that just passed, and the terrible one that is about to hit.

My most important message today to those in the affected areas is: please, please listen to your local authorities, follow all safety instructions and evacuation orders. This is serious – very serious.

But now, let's talk about the events of today. You know, as my friends – the rabbis in Delaware, with whom I have become friends over the years, with whom I have been involved – can tell you, I was one of those lucky Christians who was raised – a Christian who – understood what was happening.

My father was what we would call a "righteous Christian." My father literally raised us to stand up for – any persecuted community, and he would get angry at the dinner table – angry about why we hadn't bombed the railway line to Auschwitz, and why – and that is the truth, as the rabbis at home can tell you.

And he talked about how we had not allowed – that one ship and – and – with Jewish refugees on it to land at that time, during – during – Hitler's reign. And you know, he talked about how important it is for people to know what happened, and not to forget.

And one of the things he taught me was that – I took each of my children and grandchildren, when they turned 14, and we flew them to Dachau, because I wanted them to see – I wanted them to understand that no one can pretend that it didn't happen.

You walk – you walk through the gate and you are free. Well, and the state – you see those beautiful houses along that gate from the outside, and you know that they must have known. They must have known what was happening. And – and I wanted them to understand. I wanted them to see where the ovens were. I wanted them to know what was happening, and – because I wanted them to be aware – conscious.

And I think one of the things I am going to talk about is – you know, that the country has kind of – I don't know how to put it – not paid much attention to our hi- – history, which has brought us –

But when I went there shortly after the second, smaller Holocaust, which the whole world saw even more vividly on the seventh, it was because I wanted to show the world where I stand, and where America stands. And I saw the remnants of what had happened ten days before. I saw – and you all know that; you understand it.

But now, at this event today – I want to thank you for joining this conversation, and I apologize for having to reschedule it.

You know that last week, at my direction, the United States military took unprecedented action again to actively help Israel defend itself. You have – you have heard me say before that I was heavily criticized as a young senator for saying: "I am a Zionist." That is true. You don't have to be Jewish to be a Zionist. It is not necessary.

And I – I firmly believe – that without Israel, the security of every Jew in the world is less stable. I mean that seriously. It does not mean that Jewish leadership does not need to be more progressive than it is, but it means that it must exist, and that is what worries me most about what is happening now.

As I've said before, my commitment to the safety of the Jewish people and the safety of Israel as a right to exist is unwavering – it's independent of everything else. The Jewish state must endure. That iron commitment to it must remain.

It has been an honor to celebrate this High Holy Day with all of you from the White House over the past three years, a time of both joy and sorrow. And that's exactly what we've been experiencing: a time of joy and sorrow.

You are a source of strength for your people. I want to thank you for all that you do every day for your congregations, for your communities, and for our country.

You know that this year's challenges are very different, and it's a very difficult time for the Jewish community and for Jews around the world. Just two days ago, we commemorated the first anniversary of October 7th, the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

And a year later, after the trauma and loss of that day and its aftermath, it's still incredibly difficult. It's hard to remember and mourn the tragedy that continues. Hostages are still being held – some of them are American Jews; their loved ones are still in danger; survivors are carrying visible and invisible wounds that will never disappear. The families and friends who are left behind will never, ever be the same.

This morning, I spoke for about an hour with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and I expressed my condolences for this sad anniversary.

Throughout this year, Jill, Kamala, and I have mourned with all of you, even after the horrific execution of six hostages, including the American, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a 24-year-old young man who would have turned 24 just last week.

My administration is doubling our efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages, just as we have secured the release of hostages before. And we will not rest until they are all home.

As you saw just last week, the United States fully supports Israel's right to defend itself against Iran and all of its proxies – Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. We are doing everything in our power to alleviate the suffering of all people from this war against Hamas, a war that Hamas started.

As the Israeli Ambassador in Washington said at a memorial event just two days ago, and I quote, "We remember the Jewish commandment that all are created in God's image," and "the loss of innocent life – Israeli, Palestinian, Lebanese, or otherwise – is a tragedy." Well, I feel the same way. Too many civilians have suffered during this conflict.

I also want you to know that I see you, I hear you, and I understand your pain from the alarming rise of antisemitism in America and, frankly, around the world – it's absolutely abhorrent. And I hope we have learned from the generation of our parents. We must stand up. We must shout it down. We must stop it.

In America, we respect and protect the fundamental right to freedom of speech and peaceful protest. But there is no place in America – I emphasize, no place – for antisemitism, hate speech, or threats of violence of any kind against Jews or anyone else.

Long before October 7th – long before – I launched the first national security strategy to combat antisemitism in American history – the first time ever in American history. Vice President Harris, I, and the entire administration are aggressively implementing this commitment.

Since taking office, we have secured a record over $800 million for the physical security of nonprofit organizations, including synagogues, Jewish community centers, and Jewish day schools across the country.

Since October 7, 2023, we have secured an additional $400 million, which is the largest single increase in funding ever.

And we have concrete evidence that our historic support is making a difference and that this investment is important.

The Department of Education has alerted our universities to something that should be obvious to everyone: that antisemitism is discrimination. Let me repeat: antisemitism is discrimination, and it is prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

And the Department of Homeland Security has provided resources to train university police departments and administrators on how to ensure the safety of Jewish students on campus. And we will continue to work to ensure that Jewish students can receive an education free from fear and harassment.

The Department of Justice is also working to investigate and prosecute antisemitic hate crimes and hold perpetrators accountable.

We urge you, as members of your community, to report any incidents to local law enforcement.

My administration is calling on social media companies to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for antisemitism and other hate speech, including the abhorrent antisemitic attacks that we have seen online in recent days against public officials who are leading the response to the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton.

It is appalling, but it must end immediately. We must speak out and stop it now.

On a global scale, our nation's first Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Antisemitism is Deborah Lipstadt. And Deborah has mobilized more than 40 countries and international organizations to support our new guidelines for combating antisemitism around the world. And that is important, but I know that there is still much more to be done.

And let me assure you, as your president, that you are not alone. You belong, and you have always belonged, and you will always be, and you must always be protected.

Jewish Americans enrich every aspect of American life. Let me repeat that: Jewish Americans have enriched every aspect of American life from the very beginning, and you will continue to do so for many years to come.

Finally, let me say this. I have been reflecting on the wisdom that I have learned from Jewish communities in Delaware and across the country over the years. It seems to me that there is a delicate, yet profound, balance between joy and sorrow during the High Holy Days.

Rosh Hashanah is a day of celebration in the Jewish calendar, the Jewish New Year. But it is also a day of judgment.

Similarly, Yom Kippur is the holiest day in the Jewish calendar, but according to Jewish scholars, it is also the happiest day, because it is a time for forgiveness and renewal.

And in two weeks, you will celebrate another holiday of singing and dancing, for the Torah. You know, I know that you will do so with a deep sadness in your hearts, because last year this holiday was shattered on October 7th.

From my perspective, the Jewish people embody this duality of sorrow and joy across generations. That is your strength. The Jewish people have always chosen to find joy, happiness, and light, despite centuries of suffering, persecution, and pain.

That is the enduring lesson and legacy for the Jewish people and for all of America to understand.

So thank you for continuing to find joy in the darkness and for shining a light on our nation and on the world.

May God bless you all. And may you have a happy new year.

whitehouse.gov / gnews.cz-jav