White House says “there is a deal on the table”

As Vice President Harris said yesterday in Selma, Alabama, “Hamas claims it wants a ceasefire. Well, there is a deal on the table. And as we have said, Hamas needs to agree to that deal. Let’s get a ceasefire. Let’s reunite the hostages with their families. And let’s provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza.”

The Vice President’s statement yesterday echoed President Biden’s statement on Friday that the administration is working on a deal that would include the return of hostages, an immediate six-week ceasefire, and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. An administration official said on Saturday that Israel has essentially endorsed a framework of a proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, and it is now up to Hamas to agree to it. The onus is on Hamas.

The Vice President also emphasized “Israel has a right to defend itself. And President Joe Biden and I are unwavering in our commitment to Israel’s security. Hamas cannot control Gaza, and the threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel must be eliminated. Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization that has vowed to repeat October 7th again and again until Israel is annihilated.” We appreciated the Vice President’s reiteration of what we have known – this White House stands with Israel.

The Vice President emphasized that the purpose of a temporary ceasefire is to “get the hostages out and get a significant amount of aid in.” President Biden and Vice President Harris are in lockstep on policies that safeguard the safety and security of Israel and promote regional stability, eliminate Hamas, release the hostages, and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

SIGN UP: STATE OF THE UNION REVIEW
President Biden will deliver his State of the Union address this Thursday, March 7. Join the JDCA Ohio Chapter and Jewish Women for Joe Ohio the morning after the State of the Union to discuss the President’s speech and the campaign ahead. The event will feature JDCA CEO Halie Soifer, who will share key takeaways from the President’s speech and talk about the issues and stakes in 2024. We’ll also hear from Democrats in the battleground state of Ohio to get their impressions of the speech. We will gather over coffee and Zoom on Friday, March 8 at 9:00 a.m. ET.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Warmly,

Halie Soifer
CEO, Jewish Democratic Council of America