'I believe in America': Fired-up Biden uses State of the Union to skewer GOP, his 'predecessor'
The president made the case for why he deserves a second term.
President Joe Biden delivered his State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday night.
The speech provided Biden one of his biggest audiences of the year as he made his case for a second term and contrasted his vision of the country's future with Republicans ahead of what's expected to be a lengthy general election fight with former President Donald Trump.
ABC News live-blogged every major moment and highlight from the speech, with 538 providing analysis and a closer look at the polling and data behind the politicians.
Key moments:
Biden: 'Israel must do its part'
While discussing his directive to establish a temporary pier to get more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, Biden said that "Israel must do its part"
"Israel must allow more aid to Gaza and ensure humanitarian workers are not caught in the crossfire," Biden said.
Addressing Israel's leaders, Biden said: "Humanitarian assistance cannot be second or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving lives has to be a priority."
Biden expresses sympathy for Israeli hostages and victims of Hamas
Biden addressed the "gut-wrenching" months since the Oct. 7 attack in Israel and expressed sympathy for the Israeli, Palestinian and Americans affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
"I know the last five months have been gut-wrenching for so many people, for the Israeli people, the Palestinian people, and so many here in America," Biden said.
Biden referred to Oct. 7 as "The deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust" and addressed the those who endured sexual violence during the attack.
"This crisis began on Oct. 7 with a massacre by the terrorist group Hamas," Biden said. "1,200 innocent people women and girls men and boys slaughtered, many enduring sexual violence."
Biden called out the families of the American hostages who are in attendance Thursday.
"I pledge to all the families that we will not rest until we bring their loved ones home."
Biden pushes for two-state solution amid fighting in Gaza
Biden repeated his calls for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict amid fierce fighting in the Gaza Strip, which was sparked by the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas and other groups.
"As we look to the future, the only real solution is a two-state solution. I say this as a lifelong supporter of Israel and the only American president to visit Israel in wartime. There is no other path that guarantees Israel’s security and democracy. There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live with peace and dignity," he said.
The president did, though, push Israel to allow more aid to enter the Gaza Strip.
"Israel must allow more aid into Gaza and ensure that humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the crossfire. To the leadership of Israel, I say this: humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority," he said.
Heckler removed after apparently shouting about Abbey Gate attack
Late into Biden's remarks, a man was removed from the upper area of the House chamber after shouting out repeatedly.
The man appeared to be yelling about the Marines who were killed in the Abbey Gate bombing at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, during the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
Biden's handling of the American exit was criticized by many at the time, though he has defended ending the protracted and divisive war.
-ABC News' Adam Carlson