Following an altercation at a campaign dinner, U.S. President Joe Biden called for a “pause” in the fighting between Israel and Palestinian terrorist Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday.
The heckler interrupted Biden while addressing a group of around 200 people, saying, “As a rabbi, I need you to call for a ceasefire right now.”
“I think we need a pause,” Biden retorted. A delay indicates allowing the inmates time to be released.” Later, the White House emphasized that Biden was speaking about the hostages, not the inmates, that Hamas had taken captive during its onslaught on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people and the capture of over 200 more.
Israel has replied with bombardments of Gaza and a ground invasion of the embattled coastal territory, vowing to destroy Hamas.
Before this, the White House declared that it favored a “humanitarian pause” that would let supplies reach Gaza and the release of captives. Although Biden has backed Israel and was there last month, his stance has changed in recent weeks as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies and the number of civilian deaths climbs.
Protesters frequently interrupted two of Biden’s senior aides during a congressional hearing on Tuesday, criticizing American officials for supporting what they called “genocide” against Palestinians in Gaza.
Security hauled away Biden’s Wednesday heckler, who informed reporters that her name was Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, as she sang “ceasefire now.” Biden continued by stating that he knows the feelings associated with the Middle East crisis.
“The Israelis are facing a tough situation. It’s quite complex for the Muslim community as well. “I have always favored a two-state solution,” he declared. “Hamas is a terrorist group; that much is certain. An outright terrorist group.”
Since October 7, Israeli attacks have killed at least 8,796 Palestinians in the small coastal enclave, including 3,648 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. At least 195 Palestinians perished in Israel’s assault on the Jabalia refugee camp on Wednesday, according to the Hamas-run administration.
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