President Biden denounced the “humanitarian crisis in Gaza” in a commencement address at Morehouse College on Sunday, his first appearance on a college campus since student protests erupted nationwide over the Israel-Hamas war. It was something.
“What is happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking. The vicious attacks on Israel by Hamas, innocent lives being killed, people being taken hostage… innocent Palestinians… We’re caught in the middle of all this,” Biden told a crowd of graduates at Atlanta’s historic all-black men’s university.
“There’s a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. That’s why I’ve been calling for an immediate ceasefire, an immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting. Bring the hostages home,” Biden said, to applause. .
The president took to the stage on Sunday to applause, despite concerns swirling ahead of time that the event would spark protests similar to recent campus demonstrations over his administration’s response to the Israel-Hamas war. It received cheers.
Biden’s announcement as Morehouse’s commencement speaker sparked a backlash from some students over concerns that his remarks would be perceived as a campaign speech.
The event was seen as an important opportunity for Biden to engage with younger voters and Black voters, but the event could be damaging to the Democratic Party’s reputation as Biden seeks re-election this November. is suggested by some public opinion polls.
Some graduates and faculty wore keffiyeh scarves along with their graduation attire, as valedictorian Deangelo Jeremiah Fletcher called for the release of hostages and an “immediate and permanent” ceasefire in the conflict. Afterward, Biden applauded.
One of the graduates appeared to be standing with his back to the president and his right side first.
“I support peaceful, nonviolent protests. Your voice will be heard. And I promise you, I hear you,” Biden said during his speech.
The president said he was “working around the clock” to get more aid to Gaza and toward a two-state solution that was “more than just a ceasefire.”
“The question is…what happens after that? What happens after Hamas? What happens then? What is happening in Gaza? What rights do Palestinians have?” Biden said. Told.
The president has previously asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on Saturday and Israel on Sunday to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid heightened tensions.
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