Jill Biden goes against husband's tide, says 'stop it now' on Gaza war

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
4 Apr 2024 08:40
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During a meeting with Muslim community members, US President Joe Biden reportedly shared the First Lady's concerns about the ongoing aggression on Gaza.

Jill Biden speaks about gun violence prevention with K-12 principals in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, on January 25. (AFP/Getty Images)

Jill Biden, a prominent White House figure, has reportedly advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza. During a meeting with members of the Muslim community at the White House, one attendee conveyed to President Biden that his wife disapproved of his attendance due to his support for "Israel" in its ongoing aggression on Gaza.

President Biden acknowledged this sentiment, revealing that the First Lady had been urging him for a ceasefire in Gaza, quoting her as saying, "Stop it, stop it now," as reported by an attendee present at the meeting.

Salima Suswell, founder of the Black Muslim Leadership Council, recounted this exchange in an interview, emphasizing the significance of the First Lady's strong stance on the issue.

The White House seemed to confirm the conversation, claiming that Biden shares the same level of concern about civilian casualties as his wife.

"Just like the president, the first lady is heartbroken over the attacks on aid workers and the ongoing loss of innocent lives in Gaza," Elizabeth Alexander, the First Lady's communications director, claimed in a statement. "They both want Israel to do more to protect civilians."

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Jill Biden's opinions align with those of other Democrats, such as Senator Chris Coons, who has urged the President to take further action to safeguard civilians and provide assistance to the besieged Strip, not end the war.

Approximately 40 government agencies have also submitted their letters of protest to the president. Meanwhile, voters in swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin have warned to withhold their support due to his position.

Since October 7, Biden has been clear and unwavering in his backing of "Israel".

"As long as the United States stands — and we will stand forever — we will not let you ever be alone," he said in a press briefing a week after Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

Jill Biden has faced scrutiny herself due to her husband's stance, experiencing several instances where her speeches were disrupted by pro-Palestine protesters accusing the Bidens of endorsing genocide.

This is happening as the Ministry of Health in Gaza has lately announced that the number of Palestinians killed since the beginning of the Israeli genocide against Gaza on October 7 has risen to 32,975 and those injured to 75,577.

180 days of genocide later, White House denies Israeli law violations

Speaking to the press on April 2, a White House spokesperson said that the United States had looked into several actions by Israeli occupation forces in Gaza "in the past" and had not found "any incidents where the Israelis have violated international humanitarian law."

This response came to a question asked by an Irish-born columnist for The Hill, Niall Stanage, to the White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby about how the US continues to send military aid to the Israeli occupation with no conditions.

Kirby was asked the same question by a journalist earlier, to which he responded by saying that the US has communicated American concerns to the Israeli occupation multiple times.

The journalist then labeled his answer as verbal commitment and not actual action, which he replied to by saying, "I know, you want us to hang some sort of condition over their neck."

Stanage also asked Kirby why the White House did not implement any conditions on "Israel’s" use of weapons.

He cited a presidential memorandum released on February 8, specifying that the administration’s policy was to "prevent arms transfers that risk facilitating or otherwise contributing to violations of human rights or international humanitarian law."