1 of 7 | President Joe Biden (R) attends the National Prayer Breakfast in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Thursday. Biden is seated next to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La. Every U.S. president since Dwight Eisenhower in 1953 has attended the annual breakfast. Photo by Shawn Thew/UPI |
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Feb. 1 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden called on Americans to come together in his speech to attendees at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning, suggesting that current political tensions have Americans seeing each other as enemies.
Biden noted Thursday was the first time the National Prayer Breakfast took place at National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol since Congress decided last year to take a more active role in the event as he said the United States is a place where all faiths are welcome to practice as they so chose and to see each other as Americans first.
"This is a calling to stand against hate. It's the very idea of America, that we're all created equal. We are unique in the world, the only country based on an idea, we hold these truths to be self-evident that we are all created equal," he said.
He also addressed the divisions caused in the aftermath of the start of the war in Gaza.
"The challenges of our times remind of our responsibilities as a nation," Biden said. "To help each other, a just and last peace here and abroad. That's why we're fighting against the rise of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia here in the United States.
Biden pointed to the deaths of three servicemembers killed this past weekend in Jordan as an example of the sacrifice it takes to keep the United States and other democracies free.
"I spoke with each of these families separately and Jill and I will be at Dover Air Force Base to receive the dignified transfer of their bodies," Biden said. "They risked it all and we will never forget the sacrifice in service to our country."
Biden also addressed the "trauma, death and destruction" in Israel and Gaza as that war continued into its fifth month.
"I understand the pain and passion felt by so many here in America and around the world," Biden said. "We value and pray for the lives taken, for those families left behind and those living in dire circumstances. Innocent men, women and children held hostage or under bombardment or displaced not knowing where their next meal will come from, or if it will come at all."
Biden called for "two states for two people," in his comments, confirming once again his support for an independent Palestinian state in Gaza.
"Not only do we pray for peace, we are actively working for peace, security, dignity for the Israeli people and the Palestinian people. I am engaged in this day and night."
Biden mentioned how the United States "must continue" to help Ukraine as they continue to fight off the invasion by Russia which is close to completing its second year.
Last year, Biden urged Americans to "redeem the soul" of the country by coming together to overcome bitter political divides, last effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather incidents.
Biden had said last year that his prayer for the country centered around seeing each other a friends and colleagues instead of enemies.
What grew into the National Prayer Breakfast came to Washington in 1942, founded by members of the U.S. House and Senate, after starting in other cities.
