'Tone deaf and tactless': Biden blasted as he predicts Gaza ceasefire timeline while eating ice cream

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Joe Biden commented on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict during his visit to Van Leeuwen’s ice cream shop in New York City after filming his interview for 'Late Night with Seth Meyers' on Monday, February 26. 

The POTUS was captured on video ordering mint chip ice cream and engaging with fellow customers.

When asked about a possible ceasefire, he said, "I hope by… the end of the weekend. My national security advisor tells me we’re close. We’re close. It’s not done yet. My hope is by next Monday, we’ll have a ceasefire."

Joe Biden faces criticism for commenting on Israel-Hamas conflict over ice cream

As the clip of Biden munching on ice cream while addressing the possible Gaza ceasefire went viral, many came forward to criticize the POTUS. 

Mairav Zonszein, an Israeli-American journalist and commentator, took to X (formerly Twitter) and expressed, "This appears both irresponsible, and with the ice cream cone, tone deaf and tactless."

Gregg Carlstrom, The Economist's Middle East correspondent, remarked, "Nothing says ‘we're taking this seriously’ like talking about a war that has killed ~30,000 people with an ice-cream cone halfway to your mouth."

The death toll in Gaza has risen to at least 29,782, as reported by Gazan health authorities while approximately 1,200 individuals in Israel lost their lives during the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, as per the Associated Press. 

Former MSNBC commentator Noah Rothman slammed the POTUS, saying, "Biden makes impotent gestures in the general direction of geopolitical affairs that illustrate only his lack of control over them while eating an ice cream cone. This man owns his brand."

Reports indicate that President Biden's remarks coincide with ongoing progress in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The potential deal is said to involve aid shipments to Gaza and the release of additional Israeli captives.

However, Israel has yet to comment on these talks, while Hamas officials have suggested that a resolution may be further away than implied by the POTUS' statements, as per The Guardian. 

Joe Biden's Gaza ceasefire comments came ahead of Michigan primary

The timing of Biden's comments has also been scrutinized for its political implications.

Canadian broadcaster Richard Gizbert pointed out, "Biden drops the ceasefire-by-next Monday teaser on what just happens to be the eve of the Michigan primary, where he's in such trouble with Muslim voters", on platform X.

Michigan, a battleground state with the largest Arab American population in the US, held its primary elections on Tuesday, in which Biden won over 81.1% votes despite a significant protest from progressives like Rashida Tlaib. 

According to an October 2023 poll conducted by the Arab American Institute, the Biden administration's handling of the Gaza situation has led to a significant decline in support among Arab Americans.

Recently, Dearborn, Michigan Mayor Abdullah Hammoud expressed in a New York Times op-ed that residents of his city are deeply "haunted by the images, videos and stories streaming out of Gaza."

He also noted, "President Biden is proving many of our worst fears about our government true: that regardless of how loud your voice may be, how many calls to government officials you may make, how many peaceful protests you organize and attend, nothing will change." 

"My greatest fear is that Mr. Biden will not be remembered as the president who saved American democracy in 2020 but rather as the president who sacrificed it for Benjamin Netanyahu in 2024," sighed Hammoud. 

Netizens react to Joe Biden talking about Gaza ceasefire while eating ice cream

As the clip of Biden talking about the Gaza ceasefire over ice cream went viral, netizens didn't shy away from commenting about it. 

One expressed, "I hope he resigns by next weekend. It seems neither of us will see our wishes fulfilled," and another said, "The one thing he excels at is ice cream! It seems these have become his primary events and press conferences!"

A person pointed out, "Hope is not a strategy," highlighting Biden's wish for a ceasefire. "Another day another embarrassment," added someone else. 

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