US President Joe Biden, who has weathered intense criticism for his support of Israel’s response to the Oct 7 attacks, has told a White House celebration for the Jewish holiday of Hannukah that his commitment to Israel is “unshakeable”.

“Folks, were there no Israel, there wouldn’t be a Jew in the world that was safe,” Reuters quoted Biden as saying. He also alluded to his complex relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he said is in a “tough spot”.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Monday that Israel was no exception to US policy that any country receiving its weapons must comply with the laws of war after Washington sold about 14,000 tank shells to Israel without congressional review, using an emergency procedure.

“We are monitoring everything that happens in this conflict,” Miller said. “We are engaged in conversations with the Israeli government.”