Biden signs USD 26 billion aid package for “Israel”

World

Published: 2024-04-24 21:44

Last Updated: 2024-05-05 22:55


US President Joe Biden
US President Joe Biden

United States President Joe Biden signed Wednesday legislation authorizing USD 60 billion in aid for Ukraine, USD 26 billion for “Israel”, and USD 8 billion for Taiwan.

"I just signed into law the national security package that was passed by the House of Representatives this weekend, and by the Senate yesterday," Biden said to reporters, adding that he is "making sure the shipments start right away, in the next few hours."

"It's going to make America safer, it's going to make the world safer and it continues American leadership in the world and everyone knows it,” he continued, "It gives vital support to America's partners so they can defend themselves against threats to their sovereignty and to the lives and freedoms of their citizens."

The bill also provides humanitarian assistance to Gaza - with Biden calling on “Israel” to allow the entry of aid into the besieged, famished Strip.

"We're going to immediately secure that aid and surge it... including food, medical supplies, clean water," Biden said. "Israel must make sure all this aid reaches the Palestinians in Gaza without delay."

The legislation also includes a potential ban on TikTok; the legislation gives the Chinese social media app nine months to divest from its Chinese parent company ByteDance or be completely banned in the United States.

TikTok said it will fight the measure in court, with its CEO Shou Zi Chew saying "this is a ban. A ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice."

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