Last night, Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg boldly stood up and confronted President Joe Biden during his speech at a private fundraiser in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “As a rabbi, I need you to call for a ceasefire right now,” she demanded, referring to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While the president initially responded by saying he believed in a “pause” rather than a ceasefire, he later clarified that he had actually convinced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call for a ceasefire and had spoken with Egyptian President Sisi to open up access for humanitarian aid and safe passage for those trying to leave Gaza.
Rosenberg, who is a Reconstructionist rabbi and describes herself as a “queer Jewish woman obsessed with Jewish history” has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and Palestinian issues. Her bearded appearance has prompted some to question whether she is trans, but she has intentionally avoided the issue. Instead, she focuses on her role as a rabbi, stating that she became one in order to learn the history of the Jewish people and create spaces for transformative change.
The confrontation between Biden and Rosenberg came just hours after the president spoke about the “devastating” images coming out of Gaza, where Hamas claims that 8,000 people have been killed by Israeli bombing in the past three weeks. Biden described seeing children crying for their parents and parents writing their children’s names on their bodies so they can be identified. He also spoke about the importance of prioritizing the protection of civilians in any military action.
Biden has been walking a tightrope in his response to the conflict, trying to balance the United States’ support for Israel with calls for following the “rules of war” and the need for a humanitarian pause to allow for aid to reach Gaza. The Biden administration has also faced criticism for its plans to send billions in military aid to Israel.
Earlier in the day, Biden helped negotiate a deal that allowed a “handful” of Americans, among others, to leave Gaza as part of a broader effort to get aid in and people out. He thanked his diplomatic partners such as Egypt and Qatar, which have provided financial support to Hamas but also worked as mediators for hostage negotiations.
The president also addressed a potentially embarrassing situation for him with his visit to Minnesota. Representative Dean Phillips, a third-term Democrat who has backed much of Biden’s agenda, recently filed to run against him in the New Hampshire primary. However, due to a change in the primary schedule, Biden’s name will not appear on the ballot, forcing his party to organize a write-in campaign to avoid a potential loss to Phillips.
Biden’s team insists that the trip to Minnesota was planned months in advance and is not related to Phillips’ challenge. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also referenced the Hatch Act, which limits politicking on government property or time, as the reason the visit was solely focused on Biden’s rural agenda.
In Minneapolis, Biden also attended a fundraiser with a Democratic hedge funder, highlighting the challenges of balancing political priorities while addressing a serious international crisis. However, Biden’s response to the situation in Gaza appears to have pleased Rabbi Rosenberg and other critics, who continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and more support for the people of Gaza.
