A major Democratic Party fundraiser at New York City's Radio City Music Hall last night faced repeated interruptions from pro-Palestinian protesters deeply unsatisfied with the administration's response to the Israel-Hamas war.
With a palpable sense of urgency, the Biden campaign hosted the headline-grabbing event alongside former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton to raise much-needed cash for a grueling reelection.
A transcript of the event obtained by Mediaite shows Biden and Obama engaging with the protesters. Biden expressed sympathy for their position and the regrettable civilian casualties but defended Israel's right to self-defense. (RELATED: Elderly Jewish Man Killed During Israel-Palestine Protest In California)
The president also revealed that, as part of the ongoing cease-fire negotiations, Arab states are prepared to “fully recognize” Israel's right to exist if certain conditions are met.
“I won't go into detail now,” Biden began. “But look, I've been working with the Saudis and with all the other Arab countries, including Egypt and Jordan and Qatar. They're prepared to fully recognize Israel. Fully recognize Israel for the first time. But there has to be a post Gaza plan, and there has to be a train to a two state solution. It doesn't have to occur today, but there has to be a progression, and I think we can do that. I think we can do that. That's why we're seeing more avenues open into Israel – excuse me, into Gaza – to bring food and medicine and there's much more we can do. But I'm confident it can be done and Israel's integrity, Israel's security, where Israel can be preserved.”
Obama eventually reprimanded the hecklers for their interruptions:
No, no listen. You can't just talk and not listen… That's what the other side does. And it is possible for us to understand that it is possible to have moral clarity and have deeply held beliefs, but still recognize that the world is complicated and it is hard to solve these problems.
The reason why I originally selected Joe Biden to be my vice president. The reason that I think he was one of the best vice president we've ever had, and the reason why I think he has been an outstanding president is because he has moral conviction and clarity. But he's also willing to acknowledge that the world is complicated, and that he's willing to listen to all sides in this debate and every other debate and try to see if we can find common ground . That's the kind of president I want.”
Bill Clinton then interjected:
I know there are many other things we need to talk about. I believe that this is one of the most important reasons to elect President Biden. And I'm going to tell you why. Because he genuinely cares about preserving the existence of Israel, which Hamas doesn't. And he genuinely cares about giving the Palestinians a decent state of self governance and the support they need for self determination.
At the same time, former President Donald Trump attended a wake for murdered New York Police Department (NYPD) officer Jonathan Diller.
Trump criticized Biden during an interview with “Fox & Friends,” arguing the president missed a “very sad moment” by prioritizing Thursday's fundraiser over Diller's memorial service.
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