By Ron Kampeas/the Jewish Telegraphic Agency
In the face of right-wing criticism, Joe Biden’s pro-Israel backers said they aren’t concerned after he said pro-Palestinian protesters “have a point” in his speech at the Democratic National Convention.
The remark, made in the middle of Biden’s address Aug. 19th night, has become fodder for attacks on the president. A social media account associated with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign is sharing the clip. Other accounts on X are posting Biden’s quote above videos of protesters who declare support for Hamas or call for Israel’s destruction.
Biden made the statement in the middle of a longer discussion of his efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. He said he and Secretary of State Antony Blinken were working to head off a regional war, free hostages, deliver increased aid to Gaza “and finally, finally, finally deliver a ceasefire and end this war.”
‘Departure in Tone’
He added, “Those protesters out in the street, they have a point. A lot of innocent people are being killed, on both sides.”
Biden’s omission of the word “Israel” from the speech, and his apparent acknowledgement of the pro-Palestinian protesters outside the convention, were a departure in tone from previous speeches he’s given in which he has declared his support for Israel even as he seeks a ceasefire deal that would free hostages held by Hamas. Since Oct. 7, he has also rebuffed calls to end his backing for Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
David Makovsky, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said he “immediately” took note of Biden not mentioning Israel. But he said he did not expect the speech to reflect how Biden is approaching ceasefire talks.
Hostages
“Biden is not, in campaign mode, going to have an impact on the negotiations,” Makovsky told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “It’s a matter of pride for him to [have] hostages get out. He’s going to do whatever it takes to get a deal. He will be making campaign speeches all along, as he did last night, but when he is governing he will be laser focused on getting a deal.”
Jewish Democrats dismissed concerns about the speech, rejecting the idea that Biden, who has trumpeted his pro-Israel bona fides for decades, is now ceding rhetorical territory to Israel’s adversaries.
Read the full story at The Jewish News of Northern California.
