Biden slammed for hosting BBQ as war rages in Israel

Joe Biden has been criticised for hosting a BBQ at the White House while Hamas continued to attack Israel

Reuters/ Twitter
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 09/10/2023

- 22:50

The US president has received backlash for hosting the event as Americans are said to be held hostage

Joe Biden has been criticised for hosting a BBQ at the White House while Hamas continued to attack Israel.

The US president has received backlash after it was reported that a "live band" was playing music on Sunday afternoon as terrorists allegedly hold Americans hostage.


Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley shared a screenshot of a White House Pool report on social media which featured a note about the BBQ being held for "White House Executive Residence staff and their families".

"While Hamas holds Americans hostage, Joe Biden is enjoying a picnic with a live band," he wrote.

Republican Missouri Senator Josh Hawley shared a screenshot of a White House Pool report on social media which featured a note about the BBQ being held for 'White House Executive Residence staff and their families'

Twitter

The pool report, emailed just after 6pm on Sunday evening, stated that a reporter could hear a "live band" in the White House.

"In the late afternoon and early evening, a live band could be heard coming from the area near the Rose Garden. Your pooler asked why a band was playing," the pool reporter wrote.

"From the White House: The President and First Lady are hosting a BBQ for White House Executive Residence Staff and their families."

Other people also criticised the White House for the event on social media.

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Steve Guest wrote: "As the expression goes, Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

"Joe Biden is LITERALLY attending a BBQ and listening to a live band play while Israel burns due to Hamas terrorist attacks. History repeating itself."

While Former US Congressman, Scott Taylor added: "Given recent events, and certainly with the news of many Americans being held hostage in Gaza, I think I would have cancelled the White House BBQ with the live band."

It comes as at least 900 Israelis and more than 500 Palestinians have been killed after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday morning.

It comes as at least 900 Israelis and more than 500 Palestinians have been killed after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday morning

Reuters

Reports suggest there are at least 11 Americans among the dead.

Hamas has reportedly taken a large amount of hostages amid the attacks, including women and children.

The Israeli government officially declared war on Sunday - which is the first time the nation has made such a declaration since the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

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