Biden: I hear the protests against the war in Gaza

2024-05-19 22:00:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

President Joe Biden said in a speech at the graduation ceremony at Morehouse College that he heard the voices of those protesting the Israel-Hamas war and that the images from the conflict in Gaza are depressing.

"I support peaceful protests," he told the students. Some of the graduates wore black and white scarves as a sign of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. "Your voice must be heard and I promise you that I will do it," Mr. Biden said.

He said, among other things, that in Gaza "a humanitarian crisis is happening" and that this is why he had called for an immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting and free the hostages taken by Hamas when its militants attacked Israel on the 7 October.

Morehouse College's announcement that Mr. Biden would speak at the graduation ceremony fueled controversy among faculty and Palestinian supporters who do not support President Biden's stance on the war.

Some Morehouse College students shared a letter online criticizing the administration for inviting Mr. Biden and calling for the invitation to be rescinded.

The letter alleged that Mr. Biden's approach to Israel amounted to support for the genocide in Gaza and was contrary to the principles for peace expressed by civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., Morehouse College's best-known graduate.

The Hamas attack in southern Israel killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Israel's offensive has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials, which are controlled by Hamas.

That speech, and another one Mr. Biden is giving on Sunday, is part of the Democratic candidate's campaign efforts to communicate with black voters whose support for him has waned.

Strong support from African-American voters helped him take over the White House in 2020.

After the speech in Atlanta, Georgia he heads to Detroit, Michigan for a speech at a dinner of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP.

Georgia and Michigan are among the few states expected to determine the winner of November's presidential election, in what is expected to be a showdown between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump. Mr. Biden narrowly won Georgia and Michigan, and he needs to regain the strong support of black voters in both states.

On the other hand, yesterday the Republican candidate for president, Donald Trump held a meeting in Texas, where he received the support of the National Rifle Association. Mr. Trump said he will protect the right of Americans to bear arms.

He criticized Mr. Biden's policies on the US border and repeated his pledge that if elected, he would order the largest deportation operation yet. He also spoke about abortion and warned Republicans not to take an extreme position on this issue.

"Remember, speak from your heart. But also, don't forget, we have to win the elections again"./ VOA