Biden seeks ‘vital’ war aid for Israel and Ukraine
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A “smart investment” of billions of dollars in wartime aid for Ukraine and Israel is being advocated by US President Joe Biden as world history is at an inflection point.

As part of a rare White House speech, he said Hamas and Russia “both want to destroy neighboring democracies”.

Biden said he would send Congress an “urgent” funding request on Friday, expected to be $105 billion (£87 billion).

Immediately following the Hamas attacks on October 7, he made a whirlwind trip to Israel.

A “vital” request for emergency aid would “pay dividends for generations” for the security of the United States, according to Mr. Biden.

The president argued that international aggression results in “more chaos, more death, and more destruction” when it is left unchecked.

Details on the expected aid package have not yet been released by the White House.

The following would be included:

  • $60bn for Ukraine and replenishing US stockpiles

  • $14bn for Israel

  • $10bn for humanitarian efforts

  • $7bn for the Indo-Pacific region, including Taiwan

  • $14bn for US border security

The assistance from the United States would “sharpen Israel’s qualitative edge” and boost its military capabilities, according to Biden.

He spoke of meeting the families of Israeli and US victims of Hamas attacks, as well as emphasizing his sympathy for the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Some Republicans oppose Ukraine funding, but Democrats hope to win support by tying the different aid packages together.