By Hamil R. Harris
Just five days before the official transition of power, President Joe Biden, flanked by Vice President Harris and Secretary of State Antony J Blinken, announced that Israel and Hamas finally reached a peace agreement on Jan. 15.
“Today, after many months of intensive diplomacy by the United States, along with Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage deal,” Biden said in a statement released after the White House news conference.
“This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity.”
The president referenced scripture when celebrating the news of steps toward peace, after more than a year of violence where more than 1100 people were killed in an attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and subsequently more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed since.
“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God,” said Biden who announced a three-phase peace plan between Israel and Hamas in the East Room of the White House.
Imam Talib Shareef of the District’s Masjid Muhammad, “The Nation’s Mosque,” celebrated the news of peace in Gaza.
“The announcement of a ceasefire that would include exchanges of hostages and political prisoners is certainly welcomed, long overdue news,” Shareef told The Informer. “We’ve been so heartbroken over the many killed, unwilling martyrs of a higher cause, and we continue to pray and extend our condolences.”
Shareef thanked those who have been on the frontlines calling for an end to the violence.
“We want to thank all who have been responding to the excellence of their souls and the best of their humanity, standing in opposition to the devastation, unprecedented humanitarian crisis, pushing, protesting, and advocating for this moment of peace,” Shareef said. “Peace is the hope of every human soul.”
Shareef’s main priority is continued progress toward peace.
“Our hope is that it will continue to move forward and be sustained,” he said. “So we hope for change, for a lasting peace, and for that to happen we must address the roots of the conflict, including historic and ongoing Palestinian displacement, occupation, and the reality of apartheid.”
Celebrating Biden’s Leadership
The evening of the peace agreement, Biden delivered his farewell address to the country.
“This plan (the agreement between Israel and Hamas) was developed and negotiated by my team and will be largely implemented by the incoming administration. That’s why I told my team to keep the incoming administration fully informed, because that’s how it should be, working together as Americans,” said Biden. “This will be my final address to you, the American people, from the Oval Office, from this desk as president.”
Former President Barack Obama applauded President Biden’s efforts on X (formerly known as Twitter.)
“Four years ago, in the middle of a pandemic, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right. That’s what [Joe Biden] did.”
Obama lauded his former vice president for all he achieved in the past four years.
“At a time when our economy was reeling, he drove what would become the world’s strongest recovery — with 17 million new jobs, historic wage gains, and lower health care costs. He passed landmark legislation to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure and address the threat of climate change,” said Obama. “I’m grateful to Joe for his leadership, his friendship, and his lifetime of service to this country we love.”
The Rev. Thomas Bowen, a senior adviser to Biden and former director of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Office of Religious Affairs, completed his tenure at the White House a few days ago.
“Serving as a Biden-Harris administration appointee and senior advisor for public engagement, leading faith engagement, has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Bowen, who is returning to the District’s Shiloh Baptist Church where he served as an associate pastor.“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with an exceptional team and faith leaders nationwide to advance a shared vision of a better, more just future.”
Bowen said he is taking all he has learned from his time at the White House into his next opportunity and beyond.
“As I transition to the next chapter, I carry forward invaluable lessons, lasting relationships, and a profound sense of gratitude,” Bowen told The Informer. “I look forward to continuing this work in new ways, including serving as Shiloh Baptist Church’s social justice minister as we prepare to welcome a new pastor.“
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