Biden administration National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, talking at an Oct. 7 memorial occasion on the Israeli Embassy in Washington, mentioned that Israel wants a outlined technique to flip its current military successes in opposition to terrorist leaders into a sustainable path ahead.
Sullivan provided reward for Israel’s operations that had killed terrorist leaders chargeable for Israeli and American deaths, which he mentioned confirmed Israel’s “remarkable capacity,” however mentioned that such operations on their very own will not be sufficient.
“The challenge going forward is to turn tactical wins in battle into a strategy that secures Israel’s people and its future,” Sullivan mentioned. “That takes real discipline, it takes courage, it takes foresight, to match the conduct of war to a clear and sustainable set of objectives and to turn tactical advantage into enduring strategic gains. That is never easy, but it’s imperative, and we are here to work with you on that.”
Sullivan appeared to be holding again tears twice throughout his remarks: first when discussing these killed and brought hostage on Oct. 7 and quoting the mourning prayer El Maleh Rachamim, which he mentioned was recited within the White House residence this morning, and later when he spoke about civilian deaths since Oct. 7, quoting the poet John Donne.
“I believe that history will also remember Oct. 7 as a dark day for the Palestinian people because of the conflict that Hamas unleashed that day, far too many civilians have suffered far too much during this year of conflict, and tens of thousands have been killed,” Sullivan mentioned. “The human toll [is] made far worse by terrorists hiding and operating among innocent people.”
He emphasised the “ironclad security partnership” between the U.S. and Israel and mentioned that each international locations stay “highly vigilant” for future assaults by Iran and its terrorist proxy teams, in addition to the U.S.’ dedication to normalization between Israel and Arab states and to combating antisemitism.
“No one is ever criticized for predicting that things will only get worse in the Middle East; the hard thing is to push past the hopelessness and put the pieces down that build toward a genuinely brighter future, even as we navigate the heightened risks and exacting human toll at the present day,” Sullivan mentioned.
Sullivan praised the households of the American hostages who he mentioned he’s spoken to steadily over the previous 12 months, however didn't make any direct point out of or push for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas or Hezbollah.
Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, talking earlier than Sullivan, largely restated remarks he’d made earlier within the day at an American Jewish Committee occasion. But he additionally emphasised his appreciation for the U.S. offering “significant material and political support” and for Sullivan particularly — although he repeatedly famous that there had been disagreements between the U.S. and Israel.
“I can attest that even in times of disagreement — and there are times of disagreement — we and I never doubted your unequivocal commitment to Israel’s security,” Herzog mentioned. He attributed these disputes to the truth that Israel sees the battle as “an existential war.”
Herzog additional emphasised that Israel mourns the lack of harmless Palestinian and Lebanese civilians, referencing the Jewish instructing that every one people are created in God’s picture. The administration has repeatedly and publicly pressured Israel over the variety of civilian casualties in Gaza.
Other audio system included Yasmin Magal, the cousin of hostage Omer Neutra, a volunteer for Zaka and Israeli reservist who misplaced each legs whereas serving in Gaza.
“Our enemy is a devil, but in order to save Omer’s life, we need to make a deal with the devil,” Magal mentioned.
As attendees exited the occasion, a small group of demonstrators gathered outdoors the embassy chanting slogans broadly interpreted as requires Israel’s destruction and assist for terrorism, together with “resistance is justified when people are occupied” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine is almost free.”
A number of senior officers attended the occasion together with Sullivan, Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Dan Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs Mira Resnick, Special Representative for Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr, Deputy to the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Ned Price, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), former Democratic chief Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), antisemitism envoy Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, Special Adviser on Holocaust Issues Stuart Eizenstat and deputy antisemitism envoy Aaron Keyak.
Multiple international ambassadors together with British Ambassador to the U.S. Karen Pierce and Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova additionally attended, as did former Israeli National Security Advisor Eyal Hulata.
