President Joe Biden is set to speak at the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner, where he will address a crowd of journalists, celebrities, and politicians. However, outside the event, protesters are planning to rally against Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which has resulted in a high number of casualties. The conflict, initiated by an attack from the Palestinian militant group Hamas, has led to over 34,000 Palestinian deaths and tens of thousands injured, with a majority being children and women.
Comedian Colin Jost, known for his role on Saturday Night Live, will provide humorous commentary at the WHCA dinner, where the president typically engages in lighthearted jabs at political figures. This event is known for featuring satire and jokes about current events and political leaders. President Biden has used this platform in the past to poke fun at his opponents, including former President Donald Trump. The dinner will be broadcast online on C-SPAN’s website and YouTube channel.
Recently, more than two dozen journalists in Gaza published a letter urging their colleagues worldwide to boycott the WHCA dinner in protest of the Biden administration’s support for Israel and the impact on journalists in Gaza. Photos taken before the event showed protesters outside the venue attempting to prevent guests from entering. Despite these protests, Biden plans to emphasize the importance of a free press during his speech at the dinner. He also expressed his view that the media has not been tough enough on Trump, the expected 2024 GOP presidential nominee.
The WHCA dinner is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., with Biden’s remarks expected around 10 p.m. The event will be available for viewing online. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has sparked international criticism and protests worldwide, putting pressure on Biden to take a stronger stance against Israel. The situation continues to evolve, with calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas mounting. The WHCA dinner serves as a platform for lighthearted banter and commentary on political events, offering a moment of levity amidst more serious global issues. Newsweek aims to challenge conventional beliefs and search for common ground in its reporting.
