Former President Barack Obama had a tense moment with a pro-Palestinian protester during a fundraising event at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on Thursday night. Known for his typically calm and composed demeanor in public speaking, Obama became visibly frustrated when his speech was repeatedly interrupted by audience members.Obama was attending a fundraising event for President Joe Biden‘s reelection campaign at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday night along with Bill Clinton. The New York gathering raised over $25 million, marking it as the most successful political fundraiser in American history.During an armchair conversation moderated by Stephen Colbert, the trio was frequently interrupted by protesters inside the auditorium. At various points during the event, attendees shouted over the discussion, voicing opposition to Biden’s support for Israel amid the Hamas conflict that has resulted in the deaths of over 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
Discussing the challenges of the presidency, Obama remarked, “The world has its share of joy and beauty, but it also has tragedy and cruelty.” He addressed Biden’s approach to the Gaza conflict, stating, “We can unequivocally support the people of Israel and their right to live and raise families, which has been Joe’s position. Yet, we can also be heartbroken watching innocent lives lost and aim to manage the situation to enable both sides to live in peace. It’s a complex task.”
That’s when Obama was interrupted by a protester in the theater, to whom he responded, “You can’t just talk and not listen… That’s what the other side does.” He continued, “We can have moral clarity and deeply held beliefs while acknowledging the complexities of the world and the challenges of solving these problems.”
