The Speech Biden Needs to Make

Last night, U.S. and Israel forces, along with our allies from NATO and the Arab League, began coordinated attacks on the Iranian regime that has been oppressing its people for more than 40 years, and which earlier this week, began oppressing the citizens of our strongest ally, and only democracy, in the Middle East.

To be clear, these attacks are not retaliation for the deaths of three U.S. service members in January, nor is it retaliation for the unprecedented attack on Israel in the early morning of April 14. No, the aim here is to bring down the part of the axis of evil that is Iran and to allow for democracy to grow and spread in a region that desperately needs it. And not only does that region need it, but it is imperative that America removes this threat from our lives as soon as possible, as Ayatollah Khomeini and his cronies make no secret that America is in their crosshairs.

I know that in today’s media climate, it has been difficult to discern who is the oppressed and who are the oppressors. But we, as Americans, who value life and peace as our ally Israel does, know that the answer is clear: the oppressed are the ones who must live under the threat that innocent lives are endangered and that the threat of terror is ever-present simply because of who they are. From the day of its independence, its neighbors in the region have sought Israel’s destruction, but as we also know, peace in the region is possible for those who can recognize Israel’s ideals.

None of the events in the past six months would have taken place if it weren’t for Iran’s involvement, as they are the ones who directly fund all of the terror groups whose names we have become familiar with of late. ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah; they are all tentacles of an octopus whose head is Iran. We, as Americans, can not live in tranquility unless this beast is beheaded.

You may want to ask: why should we get further involved in this conflict if Israel was mostly unharmed in the latest attack? You see, if any piece of the response to the attack on Saturday night had failed, casualties in Israel could have easily equaled even the inaccurate and false numbers of deaths that Hamas has reported on the Palestinian side since October 7. Successfully deterring the attack was nothing less than a miracle, and a clear sign to whose side God is on. Now, Israelis know what can be in store for them in the future if nothing is done, and those who encourage democracy should not have to live under those conditions. Keep in mind that the Iranian attack targeted Muslim communities and assets as well and that the only casualty from the evening was an Arab-Israeli girl who is currently fighting for her life. We also have an obligation to our own citizens, many of whom live in Israel, and several of whom are being held captive by Iran’s proxy, Hamas, in the Gaza Strip for no other reason than for being Jews.

I understand that my words this evening may be upsetting to some of my biggest supporters. To you, I say this. I am fully aware that many Palestinians live in terrible conditions and are at risk of harm from the war that is being waged at this time. But the source of these conditions is because they too have been forced to live under the hand of Iran for too long. The ruling parties in these places do not value the rights and ideals that you and I live with every day, and that you wish your relatives in these areas were to have if they could. This is the reason we are fighting today, for human rights, for democracy, and for the peace that you have felt ever since your families arrived on these shores.

While the first phase of this mission is military in nature, in my request to Congress to authorize this war, I will also request them to include adequate funding to allow for educating the populace after the war on the benefits of democracy and how those rights do not conflict with their right to practice their religion in the way they see fit. We will not repeat our mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan. Religious extremism predicated on killing those who do not conform to their vision is not something the world can tolerate.

We did not want this war, and it can still be avoided by the complete, unconditional surrender of Hamas, Hezbollah, and, most importantly, Iran. This is the definition of victory and we will settle for nothing less.

I wish our troops Godspeed and success on their mission. May they come home soon, unharmed, and victorious. I wish you all a good night, and may God bless the United States of America.