President Biden denounced the “humanitarian crisis in Gaza” in his commencement address at Morehouse College on Sunday, which marked his first appearance on a college campus since student protests broke out across the country over the Israel-Hamas war.
“What is happening in Gaza and Israel is heartbreaking. Hamas’ vicious attack on Israel, killing innocent lives and holding people hostage… innocent Palestinians caught in the middle of it all,” Biden told the crowd of graduates at the historically black, all-male college in Atlanta.
“It is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. That is why I called for an immediate ceasefire, an immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting. Bring the hostages home,” Biden said, generating applause.
The president took the stage Sunday to applause and some applause — after concerns were raised in advance that the event could see protests similar to recent campus demonstrations over the administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
Biden’s announcement as Morehouse’s commencement speaker sparked backlash from some students who feared the comments would sound like a campaign speech.
The event was seen as an important opportunity for Biden to engage with young voters and voters of color — two critical blocs that some polls suggest could be hurting the Democratic Party as Biden runs for re-election in November.
Some graduates and teachers wore keffiyeh scarves along with their graduation robes — and Biden applauded after valedictorian DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher called for the release of the hostages and an “immediate and permanent” ceasefire in the conflict.
One graduate appeared to have his back to the president and his right raised first.
“I support peaceful, non-violent protests. Their voices must be heard. And I promise you, I hear them,” Biden said during the speech.
The president said he has been “working around the clock” to get more aid to Gaza and for a two-state solution, “more than just a ceasefire.”
“The question is… And then? And after Hamas? What happens next? What happens in Gaza? What rights do the Palestinian people have?” Biden said.
The president has already pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a ceasefire agreement.
Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Saturday and will be in Israel on Sunday, where he will meet with Netanyahu amid rising tensions.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
