Internet slams Joe Biden as he supports call for ‘immediate’ Gaza ceasefire during Morehouse College speech

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: President Joe Biden commended the call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, May 19, during the Morehouse College commencement in Atlanta.

Valedictorian Deangelo Fletcher, speaking before Biden, refrained from directly criticizing the president but advocated for an "immediate and permanent ceasefire."

“It is only right for the class of 2024 to utilize any platform provided to stand in solidarity with peace and justice,” Fletcher spoke, invoking the activism of Morehouse College alumnus Martin Luther King Jr.

“The Israel-Gaza conflict has plagued the people of its region for generations,” he further added. “It is important to recognize that both sides have suffered heavy casualties in the wake of October 7.”

Joe Biden confirmed his support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas

81-year-old, Joe Biden has advocated for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza while also confirming his support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas, a stance that has agitated progressive groups.

Prior to his commencement speech, a faction of faculty and students at the historically black, all-male college publicly opposed Biden's invitation due to their discontent with the war between Israel and Hamas.

Earlier this month, Steve Benjamin, the head of the administration's Office of Public Engagement at Morehouse, met with students who were discontented with the invitation extended to Biden, considering the ongoing war, as reported by NBC News.

Benjamin aimed to convey to the students that Biden's address would not serve as a campaign speech, but rather focus on their accomplishments as students. Meanwhile, a small contingent of faculty members has reportedly pledged to boycott the commencement address.

“I’ve spoken with several faculty members who say under no conditions are they going to sit on a stage with Joe Biden,” Andrew Douglas, a political science professor at Morehouse, previously mentioned to NBC News.

“It’s on everybody’s mind,” he went on to say.

Joe Biden's speech aims to lift up future leaders and address political challenges

Joe Biden's visit to Morehouse College was his first major appearance on a college campus since the onset of anti-Israel protests at prestigious universities.

However, it's worth noting that the protests at Morehouse were relatively more subdued compared to those at other institutions, like Columbia University.

Protests against Israel have disrupted multiple commencement speeches, including Jerry Seinfeld's at Duke University. Morehouse College plans to confer an honorary degree on the president, with a majority of faculty members supporting the decision.

The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, described President Biden's upcoming speech as “an opportunity to lift up and to give an important message to our future leaders.”

“It will meet the moment. And I think you will hear directly from the president on how he sees obviously the future of this country, and also the community that they represent,” she added.

Biden's speech occurred against the backdrop of political challenges stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict and diminishing poll numbers among younger and black voters.

Joe Biden announces new allocation of $16 billion for historically Black colleges and universities

Biden holds a 71% to 13% lead with black voters over former President Donald Trump, a decrease from the 87% to 12% advantage he had in the 2020 election exit polls, as per an NBC News survey in April.

Furthermore, only 36% of voters aged 18 to 34 have shown a high interest in the 2024 presidential election, marking another potential concern for the president.

Before his address, President Biden announced a new allocation of $16 billion for historically Black colleges and universities. Former President Barack Obama had addressed Morehouse College in 2013.

It has been 11 years since a president delivered the commencement speech at the college, with Biden being the latest. Additionally, Biden is scheduled to give another commencement speech at the US Military Academy at West Point on May 25.

Internet criticized Joe Biden for 'applauding'

As soon as the video of Bidden applauding for ceasefire went viral on the internet, users started sharing their reactions. One wrote, "He’s aware he is applauding Hamas terrorist. Thats his voting base sadly."

Another user added, "He doesn’t know what he’s clapping for"

The third user supported the call for ceasefire but criticized Biden saying, "I mean it's indeed a commendable and noble thing to want a cease fire in the region, but Bidden looks so completely out of it, it's quite scary."

"Why wouldn’t he applaud that, that’s what his state dept has been working towards," one person remarked.

 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.