Biden marks Tree of Life shooting anniversary noting recent atrocities in Israel

In a statement marking the five-year anniversary of the deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, US President Joe Biden laments that “today’s remembrance comes on the heels of the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” referring to the October 7 Hamas onslaught in Israel.

“This devastating atrocity has brought to the surface painful memories left by millennia of antisemitism and the genocide of the Jewish people. The fear is amplified by the alarming rise of antisemitism abroad and at home,” Biden says in a statement reiterating remarks from speeches he has given since the Hamas assault.

Reflecting on the Tree of Life shooting, Biden says, “The hearts of Jewish communities were shattered, leaving behind survivors and families who will never be the same.”

“Under my presidency, we will continue to condemn antisemitism at every turn. We are increasing security around centers of Jewish life across the country. The Justice Department has made combating hate crimes a top priority. We passed the most significant gun safety law in nearly 30 years. And we are implementing the first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism. Because hate never goes away, it only hides until it is given just a little oxygen. And as a nation, we must ensure hate is never given any oxygen,” the US president says.

“During these difficult times, we must never lose hope or give up on a better tomorrow. We must recommit to speaking out against bigotry and hate in all its forms, whether it is racism, antisemitism, or Islamophobia. And we must come together as fellow Americans to heal the soul of our nation,” Biden adds.