International

Biden ridiculed after saying he’s been supportive of Palestinians

Published

2 years ago

July 17, 2024

A Palestinian woman cries out after an Israeli attack at a tent camp in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis on July 13 [Hatem Khaled/Reuters]

Biden ridiculed after saying he’s been supportive of Palestinians

Washington, DC – After the Israeli military bombed a school housing displaced people in central Gaza on Tuesday, a young man stood at the chaotic scene with a rocket fragment in his hand. “This is an Israeli American missile,” he said.

“We were stepping on corpses. I cannot describe the cruelty of what is happening,” the man said in a video verified by Al Jazeera after the attack in the Nuseirat area, which killed 17 civilians and injured dozens.

Such mass-casualty attacks have been a near-daily reality for Palestinians in Gaza for the past nine months. Officials and everyday people in the besieged territory have expressed outrage that the bombs decimating their lives are, in many cases, supplied by the United States as part of its alliance with Israel.

After air raids in the al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis killed at least 90 Palestinians last week, the Gaza Government Media Office blamed the US directly for the attack.

But US President Joe Biden has a different view of Washington’s role in the war.

“I’m the guy that did more for the Palestinian community than anybody,” he said in an interview that aired online on Monday.

“I’m the guy that opened up all the assets. I’m the guy that made sure that I got the Egyptians to open the border… I’m the guy that’s been able to pull together the Arab states to agree to help the Palestinians with food and shelter.”

He added, “I mean, I’ve been very supportive of the Palestinians.”

The US president’s assertion was met with ridicule by Palestinian rights advocates, who stressed that Biden’s unconditional support for Israel is fuelling a genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

“It’s hard to decide whether these comments by Biden were arrogant, blind or deceitful. It seems that he wants to take credit both for enabling the genocide and for letting Palestinians have a little bit of medicine and water and food,” said Amer Zahr, a Palestinian American comedian and activist.

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Lexis Zeidan, a Detroit-based Palestinian American organiser, echoed that criticism.

“The only thing Biden did more for when it comes to Palestinians is increase their death toll with US-funded Israeli bombs,” she told Al Jazeera.

Armed by the US, the Israeli military has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians in Gaza and levelled large parts of the territory.

A self-proclaimed Zionist

In the same interview with journalist Speedy Morman, Biden re-asserted that he identifies as a Zionist.

“A Zionist is about whether or not Israel is a safe haven for Jews because of their history of how they’ve been persecuted,” he said.

The president then went on to ask the interviewer whether he knows what it means to be a Zionist.

Zionism is a Jewish nationalist ideology that emerged in Europe in the late 1800s, calling for the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine, where only a small minority of the population was Jewish at that time.

While the ideology’s supporters present it as a form of self-determination, many Palestinian rights advocates argue that Zionism has led to the dispossession and ongoing subjugation and oppression of Palestinians.

During the interview, Biden reiterated a position he often repeats while explaining his affinity for Israel: He claimed that Jews across the world would not be safe without the country.

“If there weren’t an Israel, every Jew in the world would be at risk,” he said.

Some activists say such remarks could be seen to perpetuate the anti-Semitic trope of “dual loyalty”: the idea that Jewish people must be loyal to Israel, whatever their background.

Eva Borgwardt, national spokesperson at IfNotNow, a youth-led Jewish-American progressive group, slammed the president’s comment.

“Many of us hear this repeated statement as a threat to our safety in this country. As president of the United States, it’s Biden’s job to make the US safe for everyone, including Jewish Americans,” Borgwardt told Al Jazeera in a statement.

“If he wants to keep Jews safe, he should focus on combating the real and present danger of white nationalism, instead of sending more bombs for Israel to prolong its assault on Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and left hostages to languish in captivity.”

US support for Israel

Zahr, the Palestinian American comedian, also slammed Biden for insisting that he is a Zionist.

“After nine months, he is still defiantly and proudly calling himself a Zionist. Well, in November, he’s going to see how that word makes us vote,” Zahr told Al Jazeera.

Due to his unwavering support for Israel, Biden has struggled with key constituencies in the Democratic Party, including young people, progressives, and Arab and Muslim Americans.

His electoral woes were exasperated after a disastrous debate performance in June, where he appeared exhausted and confused at times.

While Biden and top officials in his administration often underscore their backing of Israel, the president played down that support during the interview with Morman.

Ahmad Abuznaid, the executive director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USPCR), said Biden is claiming that he supports Palestinians because he understands that he has alienated voters in communities that support Palestinian rights.

“And so he attempted to make himself an ally of the movement when, in fact, what he’s doing is supporting the genocide of our people,” Abuznaid told Al Jazeera. “At this moment, he’s arming it. He’s defending it. He’s supporting it. And that’s how Palestinian Americans perceive President Biden and these comments. The comments are offensive. They’re disrespectful.”

Biden had boasted earlier this month that he is more popular in Israel than he is in the US. But when addressing the Arab vote with Morman, the US president falsely claimed that the US is only sending defensive weapons to Israel.

“I denied them offensive weapons that they were using, 2,000-pound (907kg) bombs and the rest,” he said.

While the US did stop a single shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel this year, Biden administration officials have stressed that the transfer of other weapons has continued steadily on a regular basis.

In April, Biden signed off on $14bn in additional US military aid to Israel. And the Pentagon confirmed this week that 500-pound (226kg) bombs that were part of the suspended shipment have been separated and released to the US ally.

“Biden could stop this genocide today by turning off the tap of unlimited funds and weapons to Israel. But instead, he allows Netanyahu to do as he pleases, repeatedly calls himself a Zionist, and does what the emperor does — supports Israel unequivocally because Israel secures US interests in the Arab world,” said Hatem Abudayyeh, chair of the US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN).

“If Biden is our saviour, then who out there is our enemy?”

Biden ridiculed after saying he’s been supportive of Palestinians

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA

International

Over 250 Feared Dead as Migrant Boat Capsizes En Route to Malaysia

Published

33 minutes ago

April 15, 2026

Trends Admin

Over 250 Feared Dead as Migrant Boat Capsizes En Route to Malaysia

More than 250 migrants, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi nationals, are feared dead after a crowded boat capsized in the Andaman Sea, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration.

The vessel, described as a wooden trawler, reportedly departed from Bangladesh en route to Malaysia before it sank last week due to heavy winds, rough seas, and overcrowding, highlighting the dangers associated with irregular migration routes in Southeast Asia.

The exact time of the incident remains unclear, but on April 9, a Bangladesh-flagged vessel rescued nine survivors who had been “clinging to drums and wooden debris” to stay afloat. According to coast guard officials, the migrants had left Bangladesh on April 4 “in search of a better life” before their boat was caught in a storm around April 7 or 8.

Survivors were later picked up in the early hours of April 11 by the motor tanker Meghna Pride, which was travelling towards Indonesia. They were subsequently handed over to Bangladeshi authorities after being transferred to a coast guard vessel.

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One of the survivors, Rafiqul Islam, said he spent about 36 hours drifting at sea, recounting the harrowing ordeal and the desperation that pushed him to embark on the journey in search of economic opportunities in Malaysia.

Reports indicate that survivors saw dozens of people struggling in the water, but authorities say the exact number of passengers remains unknown, with no confirmed trace of the missing victims or the wreckage so far.

The tragedy is closely tied to the ongoing Rohingya crisis, which has forced hundreds of thousands to flee Myanmar since a military crackdown in 2017. Denied citizenship and facing systemic persecution, many Rohingya have taken refuge in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where poor living conditions and limited humanitarian support continue to drive risky migration attempts.

Malaysia remains a preferred destination due to perceived economic opportunities and cultural ties, but the journey is often deadly. Boats used for such trips are typically overcrowded, unsafe, and lack basic necessities, leading to frequent maritime disasters.

In a joint statement, the UN agencies warned that the incident underscores the consequences of protracted displacement, worsening humanitarian conditions, and lack of durable solutions for refugees.

They also noted that ongoing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State has diminished hopes of safe return, forcing many to risk their lives at sea.

The agencies called on the international community to increase support for refugees and address the root causes of displacement, stressing the need for safe, voluntary, and dignified return pathways for the Rohingya.

The latest disaster adds to a growing list of deadly migrant boat tragedies in the region, raising fresh concerns about human trafficking networks, border policies, and humanitarian response gaps across Southeast Asia.

Over 250 Feared Dead as Migrant Boat Capsizes En Route to Malaysia

International

World Leaders Gather in Paris Over Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Published

15 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

World Leaders Gather in Paris Over Strait of Hormuz Crisis

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron will this Friday co-host an emergency international summit in Paris aimed at securing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, following escalating tensions that have disrupted one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

The announcement by Downing Street comes amid growing global concern over the closure of the narrow maritime passage, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and serves as a vital route for nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply.

Rising Tensions and Global Impact

The crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has intensified in recent days, with heightened military posturing and reported threats to commercial shipping raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Although officials have yet to publicly confirm the precise trigger for the disruption, analysts point to ongoing geopolitical friction involving Iran and Western allies.

Energy markets have already begun reacting, with oil prices experiencing volatility amid fears of prolonged supply disruptions. Industry experts warn that any sustained blockage could trigger inflationary pressures globally, affecting fuel prices, manufacturing, and food supply chains.

Focus of the Paris Summit

Diplomatic sources indicate that the Paris summit will bring together leaders from Europe, the Middle East, and key global stakeholders, including representatives from maritime security alliances.

Top on the agenda will be:

Immediate de-escalation of tensions in the Gulf
Coordinated naval security to protect commercial vessels
Diplomatic engagement with regional actors
Frameworks to guarantee long-term stability in the waterway

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A joint UK-French statement emphasized the urgency of collective action, noting that “freedom of navigation is essential to global economic stability.”

Strategic Importance of the Strait

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most geopolitically sensitive chokepoints in the world. At its narrowest, it is just about 33 kilometers wide, yet it handles massive daily shipments of crude oil and liquefied natural gas from major producers such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates.

Any disruption to this route not only threatens energy security but also risks drawing in global powers with strategic interests in the region.

International Reactions

Several governments have expressed support for the initiative by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, describing the summit as a critical step toward preventing further escalation.

The United Nations has also called for restraint and dialogue, urging all parties to prioritize diplomatic solutions over confrontation.

Outlook

While expectations remain cautious, diplomats say the summit could serve as a turning point in easing tensions and restoring safe passage through the Strait. However, much will depend on the willingness of key regional actors to engage constructively.

With global markets on edge and geopolitical risks mounting, Friday’s meeting in Paris is being closely watched as a test of international cooperation in the face of a rapidly evolving crisis.

World Leaders Gather in Paris Over Strait of Hormuz Crisis

International

Pope Leo XIV Rejects Trump Criticism, Says “I Am Not Afraid of the US President”

Published

2 days ago

April 13, 2026

Trends Admin

US President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV Rejects Trump Criticism, Says “I Am Not Afraid of the US President”

Pope Leo XIV has pushed back against criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, insisting he will not be intimidated and reaffirming his global calls for peace amid rising international tensions.

The pontiff made the remarks on Monday while speaking to journalists aboard a papal aircraft en route to Algiers, the first stop on his Africa diplomatic tour, where he is expected to hold meetings focused on interfaith dialogue, migration, and conflict resolution across the continent.

Responding to Trump’s recent comments, Pope Leo said his appeals for peace were not political attacks but part of his spiritual mission.

“The things I say are not meant as attacks on anyone,” he said. “I am not a politician. I am inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, of looking for ways to avoid war any time that’s possible.”

He added firmly: “I am not afraid of the Trump administration.”

The comments come after Trump, speaking on his Truth Social platform, criticised the Pope’s foreign policy stance, accusing him of being overly critical of U.S. positions on global security issues. Trump also suggested that Leo’s election as pope was influenced by expectations that a U.S.-born pontiff would handle relations with him more effectively.

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“If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo would not be in the Vatican,” Trump wrote, also arguing that he does not support any global leadership approach that would tolerate Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

During the in-flight press briefing, Pope Leo reaffirmed that his role is guided by the teachings of the Gospel, not political alignment.

“The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’” he said. “I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel.”

He rejected attempts to frame his remarks as political confrontation with the U.S. administration, stressing that the Church’s mission is centered on peacebuilding, reconciliation, and humanitarian concerns.

“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is,” he added. “I am sorry to hear that, but I will continue with what I believe is the mission of the Church in the world today.”

The exchange has drawn global attention, highlighting growing tensions between religious leadership and political rhetoric amid ongoing conflicts in several regions worldwide. Vatican officials have not issued any additional statement beyond the Pope’s in-flight remarks, while the White House has also not released an official response.

The Pope’s Africa visit is expected to continue with engagements focused on peace advocacy, religious cooperation, and discussions on global stability.