In a speech at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, President Joe Biden strongly condemned the alarming rise of antisemitism in America and the atrocities committed by Hamas. His remarks were delivered during a ceremony at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, marking the Days of Remembrance to honor the memory of the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust, as well as other victims of Nazi persecution.

Speaking before a crowd of Holocaust survivors, Jewish Americans, and lawmakers gathered in Emancipation Hall, President Biden emphasized the importance of never forgetting the lessons of history. He expressed concern that, just seven and a half months after the Holocaust Memorial Museum ceremony, people are already forgetting the horrors unleashed by Hamas during their attack on Israel on October 7. He reminded the audience that Hamas had brutalized Israelis, taken hostages, and continues to perpetuate violence.

President Biden's high-profile remarks come at a time of heightened tensions, with a potential Israeli invasion of Rafah looming and college protests against the conflict in Gaza occurring across the country. Balancing unwavering support for Israel's security with empathy towards Palestinian suffering, Biden has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats.

During his address, President Biden focused on expressing his unwavering support for Israel's security and condemning the atrocities against Jewish people that occurred on October 7 and the subsequent harassment faced by the Jewish community. He acknowledged the fear, hurt, and pain experienced by the Jewish community and reassured them that they are not alone, stating, "My commitment to the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent Jewish state is ironclad, even when we disagree."

Citing statistics provided by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Biden acknowledged that at least 1,700 Israelis have been killed, and 8,700 others have been injured by Hamas or other Palestinian militants. He did not directly address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, but he did speak out against instances of Jewish students being blocked, harassed, or attacked on college campuses, while emphasizing the right to free speech and peaceful protest.

President Biden emphasized that there is no place for antisemitism, hate speech, or threats of violence on any campus or in any part of America, demonstrating a commitment to protect the fundamental right to free speech while standing against discrimination and intolerance.

The ceremony also featured remarks from House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Johnson criticized the campus unrest, comparing it to antisemitic activities at German institutions during World War II. He called for an end to the hostility faced by Jewish students and faculty. Jeffries echoed the sentiment, highlighting that combatting antisemitism and other forms of hate speech is an American issue that requires a united effort.

Further addressing the concerning rise of antisemitism, the White House announced new actions aimed at combating this issue, including providing guidance to school districts and universities on identifying and addressing antisemitism, creating a website with campus safety resources, and collaborating with technology firms to address antisemitic content online.

President Biden concluded his speech by denouncing the surge of antisemitism both in America and worldwide, labeling it as "absolutely despicable" and calling for it to be stopped.