Biden heckled by protester calling for Gaza ceasefire just seconds after starting speech

Biden heckled by protester calling for Gaza ceasefire just seconds after starting speech

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Oliver Trapnell

By Oliver Trapnell


Published: 09/11/2023

- 22:42

The president was speaking at an event in Illinois when the rowdy crowd erupted

Joe Biden has been heckled by protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza just seconds after he spoke at an event to mark the end of the United Auto Workers' strike.

In another gaffe-riddled event, which saw the octogenarian struggle to put on a t-shirt and a member of the media trip down the stairs, the president was interrupted just seconds into starting his speech.


Attempting to hail the United Auto Workers union following their six-week strike, Biden’s speech quickly descended into chaos.

As the president took to the podium to begin his remarks, a heckler yelled: “President Biden you need to call for a ceasefire in Gaza!”

WATCH HERE: Biden heckeled by pro-Palestinian protester

The woman was then escorted out by security, as other members in the crowd chanted “Let’s go Joe”.

However, rather than remaining silent, Biden told the crowd “Let her go… It’s OK.”

The outburst comes just hours after Israel announced it would conduct tactical pauses in fire to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.

Four-hour windows during which fire will stop will be enforced each day in the northern Gaza Strip, the White House said in what it called a step in the right direction.

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Biden struggles to put on t-shirt

The president also struggled to put on a red t-shirt given to him by president of the UAW Local 1268 Matt Franzen

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However, the IDF confirmed the pause was not a ceasefire.

“There's no ceasefire, I repeat there's no ceasefire. What we are doing, that four-hour window, these are tactical, local pauses for humanitarian aid,” army spokesman Lt Col Richard Hecht said.

Later on in the speech, Biden was again interrupted, although this time not by a heckler but rather by the media.

One member of the press caused a loud bang after he tripped and stumbled off a raised platform.

Joe Biden speaks in Illinois

Later on in the speech, Biden was again interrupted, although this time not by a heckler but rather by the media

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“You ok?” Biden said, quickly quipping: “I want the press to know that wasn't me.”

The president also struggled to put on a red t-shirt given to him by president of the UAW Local 1268 Matt Franzen.

“That shirt looks good on you!” one man in the audience shouted.

“I've worn this shirt a lot, man,” Biden replied.

“I've been involved in UAW longer than you've been alive, man.”

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