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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was in Israel discussing strategies for Rafah and post-war actions while President Joe Biden was in Atlanta. On Sunday, President Biden expressed to the Morehouse College graduates that he acknowledged their protests against the Israel-Hamas conflict, emphasizing that the images from Gaza were deeply distressing.
During his speech at a Historically Black College, Biden made his stance on the Gaza protests clear. “I support peaceful nonviolent protest,” He addressed the students, some of whom draped keffiyeh scarves over their shoulders atop their black graduation gowns. “Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them.”
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As a few students turned their chairs in a silent protest against Biden, the president enumerated the virtues of a healthy democracy. “In a democracy, we debate and dissent about America’s role in the world,” Biden said.As the president delivered his speech, academics displayed a Congolese flag on the stage behind him. The African nation has been embroiled in a civil war, prompting numerous racial justice advocates to demand increased focus on the conflict and seek American assistance to halt the violence.
In concluding his speech, the class valedictorian, DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, expressed that he felt compelled to address the war in Gaza, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the suffering endured by both Palestinians and Israelis.
Biden expressed his determination to shape an administration that reflects America’s diversity.” when he became president. “I have more African Americans in high places, including on the court, than any president in American history. Because I need the input,” he said.
Biden then turned his attention to the Middle East, describing the situation in Gaza as a “humanitarian crisis” and stating that his administration is actively pursuing a ceasefire that includes the release of hostages.
The president addressed the crowd, stating that it was a significant moment “humanitarian crisis in Gaza, that’s why I’ve called for an immediate cease-fire to stop the fighting” The remarks, made towards the end of his speech which also touched upon American democracy and his duty to protect it, represented the most forthright acknowledgment of the campus protests that have erupted throughout the nation, following the effort to retrieve hostages captured during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7.
The speech, along with another that President Biden will deliver later on Sunday in Michigan, marks a surge in outreach efforts to Black voters. The president has observed a decline in support from this demographic, whose robust backing was instrumental in his 2020 election victory.
Having completed his speech at Morehouse in Atlanta, Biden is now en route to Detroit to speak at an NAACP dinner.
The Biden campaign is certain that Georgia and Michigan are among the key states that will determine the outcome of the anticipated November rematch between Biden and the former Republican President Donald Trump. Biden narrowly secured victories in Georgia and Michigan in 2020 and aims to replicate that success, counting on a significant increase in Black voter turnout in both states.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog and US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan are currently discussing the ongoing efforts to secure the return of hostages in Gaza, as initially reported by The Times of Israel. According to a source, Herzog emphasized the significance of this matter in their meeting in Jerusalem.
The newspaper also reported that Sullivan emphasized “the significance of the UAE’s and Cyprus’s contributions to the maritime channel that delivers civilian aid to the people of Gaza,” as per the source.
Earlier today, Sullivan met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The United States, among other nations, is urging Israel to curtail its incursion into Rafah, an area where Palestinians were initially advised to find refuge.
According to the New York Times – The United States has consistently urged Israel to refrain from initiating a full-scale invasion of Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city. Despite Israel describing its ongoing operation as “limited,” approximately 800,000 individuals have evacuated following orders, and satellite images reveal expanding destruction.
It remains uncertain whether Sullivan will have the opportunity to speak with Minister Benny Gantz, who has given a deadline of June 8th for Prime Minister Netanyahu to present a ‘Day After’ plan, failing which he and his party will exit the current coalition government. This story is continuously developing, and updates will follow.
Jim Williams covers the conflict between Israel and Hamas, offering comprehensive written articles and video coverage on various Middle Eastern issues.
