President Biden to Address Israel-Hamas Conflict at White House Correspondents' Dinner

President Joe Biden is set to deliver a speech at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner amidst growing protests over his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. The event, expected to be attended by a large crowd of journalists, celebrities, and politicians, is anticipated to be contentious due to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In previous years, presidents have used this annual dinner to poke fun at media coverage and political opponents. However, with protests planned outside the venue, Biden's speech will need to balance lighthearted humor with the serious concerns surrounding the war and the plight of journalists covering the conflict.

The Biden administration's support for Israel's military offensive in Gaza has sparked mixed reactions across American college campuses, with some advocating for divestment from Israel and others backing Israel's actions while expressing concerns about antisemitism.

Biden's speech will be followed by entertainer Colin Jost from “Saturday Night Live,” who is likely to inject some humor into the evening, possibly poking fun at the president and his opponents. The event may also highlight the ongoing struggles of journalists, including those detained or persecuted worldwide for doing their jobs.

Protests and Pressures

Prior to the dinner, protesters are anticipated to rally along the path of Biden's motorcade, drawing attention to the high number of Palestinian and other Arab journalists killed since the war's onset. Law enforcement, including the Secret Service, has ramped up security measures to ensure the safety of attendees while respecting demonstrators' right to assemble.

More than two dozen journalists in Gaza have called on their counterparts in Washington to boycott the dinner, citing the staggering toll paid by journalists covering the conflict in Gaza. They highlight the dangers they face, including detentions, interrogations, and torture, urging their colleagues to take a stand against the ongoing violence.

Media and Advocacy Groups

Advocacy groups have criticized the White House Correspondents' Association for its perceived silence on the killings of Palestinian journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists released a preliminary investigation revealing that nearly 100 journalists have been killed while covering the war in Gaza, raising concerns about the protection of press freedom.

Sandra Tamari, executive director of Adalah Justice Project, condemned the media for dining with President Biden while accusing him of enabling the Israeli devastation and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza. The organization has also launched an email campaign targeting media executives attending the dinner, calling for the protection of journalists in Gaza.