Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2024

September 2, 2024

Q. Mr. PresidentâMr. Presidentââ

The President. I'm heading to a national security meetingâI'm heading to a national security meeting right now and then going to Pittsburgh. And so checking on what'sâfollowing up on what's happening in Israel, and then I'll be off to Pittsburgh.

Efforts To Achieve a Cease-Fire and Hostage Release Deal Between Israel and Hamas

Q. Are you planning to present a final hostage deal to theâboth sides this week?

The President. We're very close to that.

Q. What makes you think that this deal will be successful in a way that the other deals were

not?

The President. Hope springs eternal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel

Q. Mr. President, if you think it's time for Prime Minister Netanyahu to do more on this issue, do you think he's doing enough?

The President. No.

Political Situation in Israel

Q. Mr. President, what is your reaction to the demonstrations across Israel? What is your reaction to the demonstrations?

The President. I'm going to get the detail when I walk in, and I'll talk to you after that. Okay? Thank you.

[*At this point, several reporters began speaking at once*.]

Q. [Inaudible]âfor a deal, Mr. President?

Death of U.S. Citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Gaza, Palestinian Territories

Q. Do you have a message for the hostages' families, sir?

The President. Yes. I've spoken to the American hostageâI spoke to his mom and dad. And we're not giving up. We're going to continue to push as hard as we can.

Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 9:24 a.m. on the South Lawn at the White House after exiting Marine One. In his remarks, he referred to Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a U.S. citizen who was taken hostage during the Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023, and reported dead on August 31. The transcript was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on September 3.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters, White House.

Names: Goldberg, Hersh; Goldberg-Polin, Hersh; Polin, Jon.

Subjects: Deaths, Hersh Goldberg-Polin; Gaza, conflict with Israel; Gaza, hostages held by Hamas; Israel, military operations in Gaza; News media, Presidential interviews.

DCPD Number: DCPD202400740.