President Joe Biden has come under fire from Republican lawmakers for hosting a barbecue on Sunday as Israel’s civil war escalates following Sunday’s surprise attack by Hamas.
The death toll on both sides exceeds 1,200 as Hamas and Israel continue to engage in a gunfight. Following Saturday’s unprecedented attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas and vowed to pay an “unprecedented price.”
Biden pledged unwavering support for Israel, telling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday that the United States “stands ready to provide the government of Israel and the people of Israel with all appropriate means of assistance.”
But after reports began circulating that Biden had hosted a barbecue the day after the fighting broke out, some Republicans expressed concern about how seriously he was taking the situation in the Middle East.
According to press reports, the barbecue was held at the White House Executive Residence.
Staff members, their families, and a live band also participated.
Rep. Byron Donald (R-Fla.) said, “Israel is under attack, Americans are being held hostage in a murderous Islamic Nazi spree, the Middle East is falling apart, and Joe Biden… hosted a barbecue at the White House.” “This is a man who left Americans behind in Afghanistan and tracked the time when our fallen heroes returned home.”
“Joe Biden is enjoying a picnic with a live band while Hamas holds Americans hostage,” Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) posted.
At least nine Americans were killed in the attack.Israeli Strategy Minister Ron Dermer To tell Americans were among the more than 100 Hamas hostages.
Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) similarly joined in the condemnation with two posts about X. write “I got through this,” he said, criticizing the Biden administration’s response time in blaming Hamas for the attack.
“Biden was informed yesterday that 9 Americans were killed by Hamas. The government knew yesterday that hundreds of Israelis were killed by Hamas,” Hunt said in another post. added. “And they still continued to have barbecues at the White House. Let that sink in.”
Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters Monday that Biden should “stop the barbecue and talk to the American people.”
Other prominent conservatives, including commentators, voiced criticism as well. Katie Pavlich and Ron DeSantis Rapid Response Director Christina Pushau.
And Donald Trump Jr. weighed in Monday morning. write: “While women and children were being murdered and raped in Israel, did Joe Biden eat a scoop or two of ice cream at yesterday’s White House picnic?” I remember what happened.”
Biden made no public statement on Israel on Sunday, but Axios reported that he spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said Israel had no choice but to respond with force and to mobilize for Gaza. He said that it would be necessary.
according to reportMr. Biden did not try to persuade Mr. Netanyahu to pursue a ground operation, instead asking about a scenario in which a second front was opened along the Lebanese border.
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*First published: October 9, 2023, 11:11am CDT
Katherine Huggins
Katherine Huggins is a New York-based journalist and freelance contributor to the Daily Dot’s Technology and Politics section. She helped cover the United Nations for the Japanese newspaper Mainichi, and previously for Market Watch, where she reported on the 2022 midterm elections. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Forbes, OpenSecrets, and more.
