Biden Met With Protests as He Touts Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal
President Joe Biden was met with a small group of protesters as he walked out of the White Elephant Hotel in Nantucket moments after delivering remarks on the hostage deal struck in the Israel-Hamas war.
A handful of people in the crowd gathered outside the hotel shouted "Free Palestine" and "cease fire" as the president walked up Broad Street with first lady Jill Biden .
Just before Biden left the hotel, he had credited "extensive U.S. diplomacy" for getting the first group of hostages released by Hamas. Biden noted that the release was "only a start" as no American citizens had been released. He also mentioned that adding conditions to Israeli aid could be a "worthwhile thought."
A small group of protestors shouting “Free Palestine” were a part of a crowd in Nantucket lining the streets as walked to lunch. pic.twitter.com/EwIIcm8WjC — Akayla Gardner November 24, 2023 As President Biden strolled down Broad Street, protesters yelled “Free Palestine!” before he entered the Brotherhood of Thieves for a late lunch.He also spotted a “USS Nantucket” hat on the head of an onlooker and stopped to salute on his way into the restaurant. #Nantucket pic.twitter.com/AleQKu0Rg1 — Nantucket Current November 24, 2023
The first group of hostages, which included 13 Israeli women and children as well as 10 Thai citizens and a Filipino citizen, were safely returned on Friday morning.
In his speech addressing the deal, Biden said he'd hoped to know within the next hour who would be among the second wave of hostages released.
"We expect more hostages to be released tomorrow, and more the day after and more the day after that," Biden said. "Over the next few days, we expect that dozens of hostages will be returned to their families."
Acknowledging the two American women and a 4-year-old girl who were among the missing, Biden said, "We also will not stop until we get these hostages brought home and answer to their whereabouts."
Abigail Mor Edan, who lost both her parents in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, turned 4 today.
Others outside the White Elephant Hotel cheered for Biden, with some yelling, "one more term!"
Biden is hoping to return to the White House in 2025 after what is expected to be a difficult re-election.
President Joe Biden speaks about the release of hostages from Gaza, in Nantucket on November 24, 2023. Some "Free Palestine" protesters met Biden outside of the White Elephant Hotel. Brendan Smialowski/This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
