Biden recounts his family tragedy during Israel meet with responders

Biden recounts story of his wife and daughter dying in a car accident as he meets Hamas attack survivors and first responders

President Joe Biden brought up his own family tragedy from 1972 while greeting Israelis who responded to the horrific Hamas attack.

He mentioned his own trauma during a conversation with Dr. Jordanna Hadas Koppel. It was one of several organized chats the president had with first responders and those who lost loved ones during the stunning October 7 attacks.

She described getting the phone call to prepare for a ‘mass-casualty event,’ something she said she never could have prepared for. 

She says she treated soldiers, civilians, ‘but mostly children.’ 

U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Dr. Jordanna Hadas Koppel, during a meeting with Israeli first responders, family members and other citizens directly impacted by the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

‘Some babies burned in their mother’s arms, some with stories that I don’t think they’ll ever recover from,’ she said. 

‘I treat Palestinian children, I treat Jewish children, 

When my resident calls me at home at night that somebody is not doing well, I don’t ask where they’re from. 

Biden brought up the 1972 car crash that injured his young sons Beau and Hunter and killed his wife Neilia and duaghter Naomi

The tragedy is an important part of Biden’s life story and he brings it up often

Biden brought up his own tragic background while meeting with first responders in Israel

Biden, speaking in a near-whisper, told her about his own family tragedy five decades ago. 

‘I got a phone call saying my wife and daughter were dead,’ Biden said. 

Biden thanked her, and spoke about the medical professionals who cared for his young sons, Beau and Hunter. 

‘Nurses, nurses,’ he said. 

The event came during a portion of Biden’s hurried visit where he hoped to connect wiht Israelis and show solidarity during national suffering after the attack.

He told a story about his brief encounter with the late Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meier five decades ago.

He also had an emotional conversation with Eli Beer, and Israeli first responder who was on the verge of tears while describing what he witnessed following the attack. 

The remarks came as Biden said he had seen intelligence indicating Israel was not behind the hospital blast in Gaza that left hundreds dead. 

‘Based on what I’ve seen, it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you,’ Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting. He added that ‘a lot of people out there’ were not sure what had caused the blast, sparking mass protests. 

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