Staff Reports
In a glitzy gala attended by President Joe Biden, journalists, and A-listers, the Gaza conflict played second fiddle to the banter and political roasting at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner. Biden, teasing his political adversary Donald Trump as "sleepy Don," quickly transitioned to a sober reminder of the stakes in the upcoming election, especially in the wake of January 6.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests at White House correspondents' dinner shadowed by war in Gaza https://t.co/s3WMWmXWfW pic.twitter.com/tIVoCpNe1g
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) April 28, 2024
Despite the gravity of global conflicts, the war in Gaza scarcely found a mention amidst the laughter and light-hearted exchanges. While Kelly O’Donnell, president of the correspondents’ association, offered a brief nod to the journalists lost in the Israel-Hamas clash, the spotlight largely veered towards comedy and political repartee.
Outside, dissenters raised their voices against what they deemed insufficient attention to Gaza, criticizing both Biden and the media. Their chants reverberated as attendees filed into the event, some protesters lying in silent protest wearing mock flak vests labeled "press."
The backlash against the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s military actions extended to university campuses, where students pushed for divestment from Israel. Concurrently, pro-Israel counterprotests surfaced, underscoring concerns about rising anti-Semitism.
Amidst the uproar outside, the dinner itself boasted a star-studded guest list including Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Scarlett Johansson, Jon Hamm, and Chris Pine. President Biden and comedian Colin Jost lightened the mood with jests about the candidates’ ages, injecting levity into the evening’s proceedings.
The tightened security measures underscored the underlying tension, with streets cordoned off and law enforcement out in force to safeguard attendees. Protest organizers aimed to draw attention to the plight of Palestinian and Arab journalists, calling for a boycott of the dinner in solidarity with their fallen colleagues.
