What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
December 15 Recap
National Security Director Jake Sullivan released a statement on the government of Israel's decision to open Kerem Shalom for direct delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Before departing Israel, I was informed by my counterpart, Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, that the Government of Israel has taken the decision to open its border crossing at Kerem Shalom for direct delivery of humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. We welcome this significant step. President Biden raised this issue in recent phone calls with Prime Minister Netanyahu, and it was an important topic of discussion during my visit to Israel over the past two days. The United States remains committed to expanding and sustaining the flow of humanitarian assistance into Gaza. We will continue to work closely with Egypt and other partners on the delivery and distribution of humanitarian assistance through Rafah crossing, and we hope that this new opening will ease congestion and help facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance to those who need it urgently in Gaza.
President Biden issued a Proclamation on Wright Brothers Day, 2023, formally observing the 120th anniversary of the groundbreaking inaugural heavier-than-air flight, which will take place on December 17. This momentous event, which lasted 12 seconds and covered a distance of 120 feet, occurred on the dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan held a meeting today in Ramallah with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. During the meeting, Mr. Sullivan conveyed his sincere condolences for the Palestinian civilians who have lost their lives in Gaza since October 7th. The discussion encompassed U.S. initiatives aimed at increasing the provision of vital humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, underscoring the crucial need to enhance the protection of civilians.
President Abbas and Mr. Sullivan deliberated on efforts to foster stability in the West Bank, addressing ongoing measures against terrorism and incitement, along with recent actions taken to counter extremist settler violence against Palestinians. Mr. Sullivan reiterated President Biden's enduring vision for a more peaceful, integrated, and prosperous Middle East, emphasizing a commitment to a two-state solution that ensures equal justice, freedom, and dignity for Israelis and Palestinians.
NSC Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby held a press gaggle via teleconference. Mr. Kirby opened the briefing by hailing the opening of the Kerem Shalom for direct delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people in Gaza. He then took questions from the press, with almost the entire conference focused on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Quad Senior Cyber Group released a joint statement with a series of affirmations, including their steadfast commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is resilient and equipped to detect and deter cyber attacks. Quad countries are among the world’s leaders in advancing digital technology, connectivity, and resilience. They are undertaking efforts to build capacity in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen the ability to defend their government networks and critical infrastructure from cyber disruptions. Read the complete statement.
Adrienne Wilson, the National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson, has released a statement expressing approval for the extension of the ceasefire in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by an additional two weeks.
This extension, effective from December 14 to December 28, involves a commitment from the conflicting parties to progress in implementing prior confidence-building measures. These measures include the enforcement of the DRC Government’s directive issued on November 21, prohibiting any support for the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels. Additionally, the extension involves a sustained withdrawal of forces from Mushaki locality, positions along the RP1030 road, and areas west of the N2 road. Read the complete statement.
