Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupted a speech by First Lady Jill Biden in Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday, while she was discussing women's issues.
The focus of the Arizona event was originally on abortion rights as part of Biden's 'Women for Biden-Harris' tour, but it was disrupted early on by protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.
One of the protesters stood up and yelled and asked, "Jill, when are you and the president going to call for a cease-fire in Gaza?" She was later escorted out by security.
Another protester shouted, "This is a genocide being carried out using our tax dollars – women and girls matter" as she was also removed from the venue.
President Biden has frequently faced pro-Palestine protesters at his campaign events across the country, with many activists angry about his administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. The pressure has heightened, particularly from progressives and Democrats in Michigan.
Earlier this week, the organizers of the Michigan campaign to vote “uncommitted” achieved a double-digit backing increase in the Michigan primary, increasing the potential for an alternative candidate in November.
On Monday, Biden said mentioned during his New York trip that a cease-fire in Gaza could occur before next week, indicating that ongoing talks between Qatar, Israel, the U.S., Egypt and Hamas are bringing negotiators closer to a deal.
Israel reportedly agreed to a framework of a proposed temporary cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza on Saturday, putting the ball in Hamas’ court a day before talks are set to resume in Egypt.
Criticism of Israel has intensified as more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed. Biden stated that Palestinians need more help from the U.S. and others as the conflict enters its fifth month.
