At the White House today (May 31, 2024,) President Joe Biden conveyed his reaction to Donald Trump being found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
He also announced an apparent three phase Israelis ceasefire proposal that the President hopes will end the eight month war in Gaza.
In his comments on the guilty verdicts his predecessor received yesterday, the President stated:
“The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed. Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself. It was a state case, not a federal case. And it was heard by a jury of 12 citizens. 12 Americans. 12 people like you. Like millions of Americans who served on juries, this jury is chosen the same way every jury in America’s chosen. It was a process that Donald Trump’s attorney was part of. The jury heard five weeks of evidence. Five weeks. After careful deliberation the jury reached the unanimous verdict. They found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts Now he will be given the opportunity as he should to appeal that decision just like everyone else has that opportunity. That’s how the American system of justice works.”
In a rebuke at Trump and his surrogates in the Republican Party that questioned the charges, trial, and rest lying verdict, the President said:
“And it’s Reckless. It’s dangerous. It’s irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged. Just because they don’t like the verdict. Our justice system has endured for nearly 250 years. And it literally is a cornerstone of America. Our justice system Justice system should be respected. And we should never allow anyone to tear it down. It’s as simple as that. That’s America. That’s who we are. That’s who we’ll always be God willing.”
The President then spent the rest of the time articulating an apparent three phase Israelis ceasefire proposal that, if agreed to by Hamas, would end the fighting and possibly the eight month war in Gaza started by the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, a conflict extremists on both the Palestinian and Israelis sides seem hell bent to continue.
Hamas, because innocent civilians they hide with, rather than surrender, are killed in Israelis attacks that generate justifiable blowback against Israelis military and government choices.
Extreme Israelis who want to permanently occupy and settle Gaza and evict Palestinians from both there and the West Bank.
In his opening comments on the proposed ceasefire, Mr. Biden said would provide an opening for a “durable end of the war…It brings all the hostages home. Insurance for Israel’s security. It creates a better day after in Gaza without Hamas in Power. It sets the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
The first phase of the ceasefire, according to President Biden would:
“Last for six weeks. Here’s what it would include. A full and complete ceasefire Withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza. The release of a number of hostages including women, the elderly, the wounded, in exchange for release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. There are American hostages who would be released at this stage and we want them home. Additionally, some remains of hostages who have been killed will be returned to their families, bringing some degree of closure to the terrible grief. Palestinians civilians would return to their homes and neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza including in the North. Humanitarian assistance would (increase.) With the ceasefire, that Aid could be safely and effectively distributed. To all who need it. Hundreds of thousands of temporary shelters including housing units would be delivered by the international Community All that and more would begin immediately. Immediately. During the six weeks of phase one Israel and Hamas would negotiate the necessary arrangements to get to phase two.”
In discussing the second phase, the President continued, saying:
“Now I’ll be straight with you. There are a number of details and negotiate to move from phase one to phase two. Israel wants to make sure its interests are protected… The ceasefire will still continue as long as negotiations continue. The United States, Egypt, and Qatar would work to ensure negotiations…Then Phase 2 would be an exchange. for the release of all remaining living hostages including male soldiers while Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza. Now as long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, the temporary ceasefire would become…a cessation of hostilities permanently; The cessation of hostilities permanently.
In phase three, Biden said that “finally in phase three, a major reconstruction plan for Gaza would commence. Any final remains of hostages who’ve been killed would be returned to the families”
In his closing remarks, he reaffirmed his commitment to both Israelis security and Palestinian dignity and self determination. He also cautioned unhinged MIGA Israelis extremists to not interfere with this ceasefire proposal. He also advised Hamas, the terrorist organization that the President rightfully blamed for starting this war, to accept the Israelis proposal.
Saying a ” comprehensive approach starts with this deal,” including normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel, the President closed with “I want to level with you today as to where we are and what might be possible. But I need your help. Everyone who wants peace now? Raise your voices. Let the leaders know. They should take this deal. Work to make it real. Make it lasting and forge a better future out of the tragic terror attack and war. It’s time to begin this new state. The hostages to come home. For Israel to be secure. The suffering to stop. Time for this war to end. For the day after to begin.”
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