Criticism of the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s six-month-old military offensive in Gaza has spread through American college campuses, with students pitching encampments in an effort to force their universities to divest from Israel. Counterprotests back Israel’s offensive and complain of anti-Semitism.
Mr Biden’s motorcade on Saturday took an alternative route from the White House to the Washington Hilton than in previous years, largely avoiding the crowds of demonstrators.
Mr Biden’s speech before nearly 3,000 people was being followed by entertainer Colin Jost from Saturday Night Live, Academy Award winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Scarlett Johansson, Jon Hamm and Chris Pines were among other stars.
Kelly O’Donnell, president of the correspondents’ association, opened the event by reminding the audience of the important work that journalists do but noting that the dinner is happening at “a complex moment for our nation” and in a decisive election year.
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