Biden lights yahrzeit candle in White House to mark Oct. 7

President Joe Biden commemorated the first anniversary of Hamas’ invasion by lighting a yahrzeit candle for those slain by the terrorists.

Biden was joined by first lady Jill Biden and Rabbi Aaron Alexander of Washington’s Adas Israel Congregation, who recited the El Maleh Rahamim prayer.

“Today marks one year of mourning for the more than 1,200 innocent people … massacred in southern Israel by the terrorist group Hamas,” the president said. He emphasized the importance of remembering not just the brutality of the attacks, but also “the beauty of the lives that were stolen that day.”

Biden said Israel had US backing in its efforts to face down Hamas and attacks from other Iran-backed groups that have proliferated over the last year.

“We support Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and Iran,” he said. “Last week, at my direction, the United States military once again actively assisted in the successful defense of Israel, helping to defeat an Iranian ballistic missile attack.”

Earlier on Monday, Biden spoke with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, expressing condolences and reaffirming the United States’ commitment to securing the safe return of all remaining hostages.

Vice-President Kamala Harris, meanwhile, joined by the Jewish Second Gentleman, Doug Emhoff, planted a pomegranate tree at the vice president’s residence in memory of the 1,200 people killed on Oct. 7.

“We all must ensure nothing like the horrors of Oct. 7 ever happen again,” Harris said. “I will do everything in my power to ensure that the threat Hamas poses is eliminated, that it is never again able to govern Gaza, that it fails in its mission to annihilate Israel, and that the people of Gaza are free from the grip of Hamas.”

Harris added: “I will never stop fighting for the release of all of the hostages, including the seven American citizens, living and deceased, still held: Omer, Edan, Sagui, Keith, Judy, Gad, and Itay. I will never stop fighting for justice for those who murdered Hersh Goldberg-Polin and other Americans. And I will always ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists like Hamas. My commitment to the security of Israel is unwavering.”