Family members of American hostages held by Hamas will attend President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, aiming to raise awareness about their loved ones’ plight amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Family members of American hostages held by Hamas will attend President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, highlighting the ongoing crisis where at least six Americans remain captive in Gaza amidst the conflict. Jonathan Dekel-Chen, a father of one of the hostages, expressed the distress families are enduring and hopes to elevate awareness of their situation through his presence at the Capitol. This development occurs as efforts to secure the hostages’ release continue, with no immediate prospects for a ceasefire in sight. The grim scenario in Gaza includes an estimated 1,200 deaths, 240 kidnappings, and a civilian toll from Israel’s actions exceeding 30,000. Vice President Kamala Harris has advocated for a ceasefire and criticized Israel for hindering humanitarian aid, emphasizing the need for increased aid flow and the opening of new border crossings to avert a famine in Gaza.
In a separate context, Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar defended the tradition of presenting a bowl of shamrock to the US President on St Patrick’s Day, amid calls for a boycott over US military support for Israel. Varadkar emphasized the importance of dialogue and engagement with the US, particularly in addressing the Gaza conflict during his upcoming visit to Washington DC. Despite opposition criticism, Varadkar underscored the value of the annual meeting for discussing key issues and reinforcing the Ireland-US relationship.
Furthermore, anger in the Arab world towards the US and the West is intensifying due to the devastation in Gaza and perceived support of Israel’s offensive. This disillusionment, especially among young Arabs, echoes sentiments felt after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, with widespread protests, boycotts, and shifting perspectives on the US. The conflict has not only strained Arab-West relations but has also impacted the identity of Arabs living in Western countries, highlighting deep grievances and injustices felt across the global Arab community.
