Biden faces backlash at DNC over remarks

President Biden faced intense criticism for his comments regarding anti-Israel protesters outside the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.

The #ChicagoPolice Department protected demonstrators in Union Park as they exercised their First Amendment Rights near the Democratic National Convention yesterday. CPD remained in continual contact with organizers throughout the event. pic.twitter.com/zGENVkanw7

— Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) August 20, 2024

During his speech, Biden acknowledged the protesters and their grievances, stating, “Those protesters out in the street, they have a point,” and adding, “A lot of innocent people are being killed on both sides.”

Saying that Democrats gathering in Chicago are unified except for Gaza is like saying that Democrats gathering in Chicago in 1968 were unified except for Vietnam. Why is the US still arming and funding Israel as it bombs and starves Palestinian civilians? https://t.co/sgZMPoQ4dL

— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) August 19, 2024

Critics drew comparisons to former President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks after the 2017 Charlottesville incident, where he suggested there were “very fine people on both sides” during a violent rally involving white supremacists and counter-protesters. Fox News contributor Scott Jennings stated, “Biden just gave the Hamas/Israeli conflict a very fine people on ‘both sides’ type line. Disgraceful.”

Of course you want to read @daveweigel's taxonomy of the Chicago protestors, you clicked before you even got this far in the tweet https://t.co/nHduoICX21 pic.twitter.com/2jtC9c3bGg

— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) August 20, 2024

Former Trump speechwriter Stephen Miller accused Biden of “leaning fully into the Charlottesville Hoax,” while Ian Haworth, a British American conservative writer, highlighted the presence of protesters wearing Hamas headbands and waving Hezbollah flags.

My report from the DNC protests – worth clarifying what protesters inside and outside the perimeter are calling for. https://t.co/VQkHRBNSoY

— David Weigel (@daveweigel) August 20, 2024

Former President Trump also weighed in, criticizing Biden for invoking Charlottesville in a debate and arguing that Biden’s narrative about running for president because of Charlottesville was fabricated. On the second night of the DNC, tensions escalated as demonstrators clashed with police, leading to over 70 arrests.

Biden criticized for remarks on protests

The protests took place outside the Israeli consulate, with demonstrators shouting expletives at law enforcement officers and engaging in violent actions, including burning an American flag. The Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest condemned the violence, stating, “We are appalled to see violence during the protest in front of our offices. This is anything but peaceful and completely contradictory to the spirit of the DNC.” Police presence remained significant, with officers detaining demonstrators and confiscating items such as megaphones. Earlier in the day, pro-Israel supporters held a peaceful gathering near the consulate, urging U.S. leaders to maintain support for Israel and advocate for the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas. The demonstrations underline the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the varied responses within the United States towards this polarizing issue.