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☆ Biden to call for a fight against antisemitism at a precarious moment in Israel’s war in Gaza and amid protests on campus
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Betsy Klein | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden on Tuesday aims to issue a clarion call to fight a swiftly rising tide of antisemitism amid a precarious moment in Israel’s war against Hamas and as protests have swept American college campuses, laying bare Biden’s trouble with some young voters. Biden’s longtime and stalwart support for Israel has come under intense pressure as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza grows. The president plans to address the long history of antisemitism and issue what one senior administration official familiar with the remarks described as a “call to action” on combatting antisemitism. The protests are not expected to be a major part of the speech, the official added. However, Biden does not intend to use his speech on Tuesday to delve into Middle East policy or the current situation in Israel or Gaza.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden’s, Israel, Biden, White, “ recommit, ” Biden, Karine Jean, Pierre, ” Jonathan Greenblatt, John Kirby, Biden “, Benjamin Netanyahu, it’s, Jean, ”, “, Miguel Cardona, Doug Emhoff, Yom HaShoah, Donald Trump’s, Trump, Adolf Hitler “, CNN’s Dana Bash Organizations: Washington CNN, US, White, CNN, Defamation League, ADL, Hamas, National Security, Qatari, White House, Education’s, Civil, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Department’s Office, Institute of Politics, Harvard University’s Kennedy Locations: Israel, Gaza, Cairo, Doha, Qatar, Gazan, Rafah, America, Poland

☆ US and Israeli officials say finalizing any ceasefire deal could take days
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Jeremy Diamond | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —As negotiators meet in Cairo on Saturday, US and Israeli officials say any potential agreement on a framework that would pair a temporary ceasefire with a release of hostages in Gaza would likely be followed by continued negotiations over the finer details of the deal. A final deal between the two parties is expected to take several more days to negotiate. Negotiators have made progress on the technical aspects of a potential deal, but two Israeli sources say it could take a week to finalize the deal itself. American officials continue to view the talks with cautious optimism, describing progress but still mindful that previous efforts have fallen apart at the last minute. But Israeli sources said he could quickly head to Egypt if Hamas agrees to the framework.

Persons: Amir Levy, David Barnea, Bill Burns, CNN’s MJ Lee, Alex Marquardt, Kareem Khadder, Mostafa Salem, Eve Brennan Organizations: CNN, Saturday, CIA Locations: Cairo, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, Egypt, United States

It was the most times she had mentioned Trump at an event so far this year, according to a Biden campaign official. She also mentioned how abortion bans like the one going into effect in Florida on Wednesday threaten medical providers with criminal prosecution. “Donald Trump stripped away the rights and freedoms of women in America,” Biden said in Tampa. In remarks last month from Tucson, Arizona, she issued a blistering rebuke of the state’s Civil War-era ban while warning a second Trump term could see a possible federal abortion ban. “Part of a full-on attack, state by state, on reproductive freedom – and we all must understand who is to blame.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Biden, ratchets, Donald Trump, Harris, needled Trump, Trump, ” Harris, ”, Roe, Wade, Trump’s, ” Trump, “, Joe Biden, Fentrice Driskell, ” “, don’t, ” Driskell, it’s, Tampa –, “ Donald Trump, ” Biden, Jimmy Carter, …, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Nikki Fried, ” Fried Organizations: Florida CNN —, Biden White House, Biden, CNN, Tampa, Republicans, Democratic, Duval County, Jacksonville, Trump, Democrats, Democratic Party, Mar, Florida Democratic Locations: Jacksonville, Florida, America, Tampa, Duval, Duval County, Trump, Tucson , Arizona, Arizona, New York, North Carolina , Pennsylvania, Los Angeles , Nevada , Wisconsin, Georgia, Gainesville , Miami, Orlando, Lago, Palm Beach

☆ Some in State Department don’t believe Israel is using US weapons in accordance with international law, source says
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The State Department is divided over whether Israel is using American-provided weapons in accordance with international law ahead of a fast-approaching deadline next week for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to make a determination to Congress. Human rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes and abuses during the war in Gaza. The State Department official Sunday did not give further details about which parts of the department are in favor of accepting Israel’s assurances, which are in favor of rejecting them, and which took no position. “We don’t comment on leaked documents, especially those purporting to contain classified information,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. While the report does not represent the US government’s own conclusions, Blinken said last week that the State Department was looking at the incidents.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Israel, Joe Biden, Blinken, International Organization Affairs –, Matthew Miller, ”, Biden, Joe, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “, Lloyd Austin, Israel “ meritless, ” CNN’s Michael Conte, Kayla Tausche, MJ Lee Organizations: CNN, The State Department, ”, Hamas, Reuters, –, Human Rights, Labor, Justice, International Organization Affairs, Department, National, Israel, Foreign, Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Progressives, Sunday, Central, State, State Department, Armed Services Locations: Israel, Gaza, Western

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden on Saturday night will attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, giving the president a stage and primetime slot to needle the media and his rival former President Donald Trump. “I haven’t had a chance to watch the court proceedings because I’ve been campaigning,” Biden told supporters at a campaign reception in New York Thursday, according to pool reports. While Biden has delivered many of these speeches before, the stakes for what could be his last White House Correspondents’ Dinner are high. “He’s the entertainer.”Administration officials said Katzenberg led daily strategy sessions in the White House residence this week to tweak Biden’s comedy set drafted by longtime speechwriter Vinay Reddy. Biden administration officials said they sought to share that concern with Kelly O’Donnell, president of the White House Correspondents’ Association and senior White House correspondent for NBC News, and with Jost’s team in NBC’s entertainment division as well.

Persons: Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Biden, Calvin Coolidge, Trump, “, I’ve, ” Biden, he’d, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Katzenberg, punchlines, Vinay Reddy, Mike Donilon, Steve Ricchetti, Anita Dunn, Karine Jean, Pierre, Annie Tomasini, Live’s Colin Jost, Kelly O’Donnell, ” O’Donnell, –, “ He’s, ”, Rob Flaherty, Dan Cluchey, Jon Macks, Jay Leno ”, Seth Meyers, – Biden, Barack Obama, Lil Jon, Gary Busey, ” Obama, Osama bin Laden Organizations: Washington CNN, White, Trump, Biden, Dreamworks, CNN, New York City –, Republican, ’ Association, White House, NBC News, Gridiron Locations: New York, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, White, New York City, Washington

☆ White House unbowed on support for Israel despite growing frustration from progressives and unrest on campuses
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Kayla Tausche | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

This week’s rapid spread of college campus encampments meant to protest the war has ratcheted up the pressure on the US over its support for Israel. Second gentleman Doug Emhoff spoke by phone with two Jewish leaders on campus, a White House official said, to discuss the immediate need to address antisemitism on college campuses. Despite being just miles from Columbia and the most tense scenes of the protests, Biden will not be making a visit to campus as he holds events in the New York area Friday. The White House must by May 8 certify whether Israel is complying. And while Sanders sought assurances from Biden on how he was approaching the situation, the president remained characteristically diplomatic, Shakir, the Sanders adviser said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Biden, Sanders, Biden –, ‘, ” Faiz Shakir, Joe, Doug Emhoff, Mike Johnson, Johnson, ” Johnson, ” Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Shakir, “, CNN’s Sam Fossum Organizations: York, York City CNN, Democratic, CNN, Israel, Columbia University, White, Republican, Representatives, National Guard, Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute, Politics, Israeli, Hamas, Biden Locations: York City, Virginia, Vermont, Gaza, Israel, Columbia, New York

☆ Blinken will travel to China amid concerns of global issues
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Blinken will meet with senior Chinese officials in both Shanghai and Beijing during his April 24-26 visit, the official said. The official said Blinken has “three primary objectives for his trip to China.”“First, making progress on key issues; second, clearly and directly communicating concerns on bilateral regional and global issues; and third, responsibly managing competition,” the official said. Blinken, he continued, “will also reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”During Blinken’s trip to China last June, he met in Beijing with top officials, including President Xi Jinping. The call came amid heavy global turbulence — the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, as well as North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, were topics of discussion. The two also spoke about issues that have strained the Washington-Beijing relationship, including Taiwan, China’s recent provocations in the South China Sea and Beijing’s human rights abuses.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Xi, “, ”, Blinken, Xi Jinping, Wang Yi, MJ Lee, Donald Judd Organizations: CNN, Biden, Russia, State Department, US Locations: China, Washington, Beijing, American, Shanghai, Iran, Israel, South China, ”, Taiwan Strait, Gaza, Ukraine, Taiwan, South

☆ Biden tells Netanyahu US will not support counter-strike against Iran
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-14 | by ( Mj Lee | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In a conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late Saturday, Biden sought to frame Israel’s successful interception of the Iranian onslaught as a major victory — with the suggestion that further Israeli response was unnecessary. Biden told the Israeli prime minister in his phone call that he should consider Saturday a win because Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s superior military capability, a senior administration official said. Even as American officials stressed to their counterparts that the final decision on how to respond to Iran is up to Israel, Biden has sought to prevent a wider escalation of the conflict. In this handout photo, released early Sunday local time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talks on the phone with US President Joe Biden. “I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks — sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel,” Biden said in a statement following his conversation with Netanyahu.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, John Kirby, ” Kirby, CNN’s Jake Tapper, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, “, Israel, ” Biden, Netanyahu, Kirby, Israel —, ”, Tapper, Gallant, Hossein, CNN’s Catherine Nicholls, Tamar Michaelis Organizations: CNN, White House, Union . ”, Seven, Sunday, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Israel, Iran, “ State, Gaza, Tehran

A view across the demarcation into Metula, Israel as seen from the Lebanese side of the demarcation line. But a Lebanese source familiar with the matter ruled this out. Hezbollah may only be compelled to join an Iranian war effort if the strike leads to further escalation, the same Lebanese source said. It provided a glimpse of how Hezbollah might attempt to overwhelm Israel’s defensive systems as Iran conducts its expected attack. From one of Spain’s bases near the demarcation line, there is a clear view of a microcosm of Lebanon’s long-standing border issues with Israel.

Persons: Kafr, Lebanon CNN —, ”, Juan Garcia Martinez, Charbel Mallo, —, Mohammad Reza Zahidi, “, Ali Khamenei, Sina Toosi, Yemen’s Houthis, ” Nasrallah, Israel –, Mallo, CNN Hezbollah’s, Hector Alonso, CNN’s MJ Lee, Natasha Bertrand, Zeena Saifi, Oren Liebermann Organizations: Lebanon CNN, CNN, UN, United Nations, Iran’s, Center for International, Hezbollah, Spanish UNIFIL, Israel Locations: Kafr Kila, Lebanon, Galilee, Spanish, Israel, Metula, Lebanese, Iran, Damascus, UNIFIL, Iranian, Gaza, Ghajar, Syrian, al

☆ As Iran attacks Israel, Biden confronts an escalating Middle East crisis he had hoped to avoid
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Kevin Liptak | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —For President Joe Biden, an attack on Israel launched from Iranian soil amounts to a scenario he’d greatly sought to avoid since the start of the current Middle East conflict. In the immediate aftermath of Iran’s attacks, American officials acknowledged they were entering uncharted territory, with the extent of Iran’s attacks initially unclear. One significant question mark is how proxies might potentially join Iranian efforts to target Israel and add a new layer of unpredictability. Administration officials saw Iran’s attacks on Israel Saturday as disproportionate to Israel’s strikes in Damascus that prompted the retaliation, a US official told CNN. As Iran’s plans to attack Israel grew clearer, American officials increasingly assessed that Tehran was not seeking direct conflict with the United States.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden —, Biden, areexpected, Benjamin Netanyahu, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Netanyahu, Erik Kurilla, Israel, CNN’s Oren Liebermann Organizations: CNN, Israel, United, White, Israeli, Iran, US Central Command, US Locations: Israel, United States, Gaza, Delaware, Damascus, Syria, Iran, Tehran, Jordan

☆ Families of dead American hostages plead for the return of their bodies: ‘We can’t even mourn’
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-11 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Weinstein Haggai and her three siblings did not participate but watched the recordings of the Zoom gatherings afterward. Three American hostages have been confirmed dead so far: Judi Weinstein Haggai, Gadi Haggai and Itay Chen, all dual Israel-American citizens. I need to make sure that they have a respectful burial; they’re laid to rest,” Weinstein Haggai said. After receiving the devastating news, the Chen family opened up their home for several days for family and friends to stop by. Like Chen, Weinstein Haggai is sickened by the idea of her parents’ bodies being stuck somewhere in Gaza.

Persons: Washington CNN — Iris Weinstein Haggai, Gadi, Judi, Weinstein Haggai, Weinstein, Gadi’s, –, peaceniks ”, ” Weinstein Haggai, “, ” Andrea Weinstein, Judi’s, ” Weinstein, Judi Weinstein Haggai, Itay Chen, they’re, I’m, ”, Chen, ‘, Ruby Chen, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s, Jake Sullivan, Sullivan, Itay, Harris, ” Chen, ” “, Harris “, Gadi Haggai, haikus –, Andrea Weinstein, Ruby, Hagit Chen, ” Hagit Chen, Jake Tapper, “ That’s, Yom Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, Biden, US, White Locations: Toronto, Connecticut, Israel, Washington ,, Qatar, Egypt, Gaza

☆ Biden administration officials believe Netanyahu’s claim a Rafah invasion date has been set is bluster
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Mj Lee | Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —The Biden administration is dismissing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pronouncement that a date has been set for a ground offensive into Rafah as bluster that is in no small part fueled by the Israeli prime minister’s tenuous political standing at home, senior administration officials told CNN. Privately, multiple senior administration officials chalked up Netanyahu’s pronouncement – which was followed Tuesday by a declaration that that“no force in the world” will stop Israeli troops from entering Rafah – to bravado. Israeli officials argue that four Hamas battalions remain in Rafah that must be taken out. Israeli officials did not provide comprehensive answers to the questions in the meeting, the sources said. Hamas would rebuild from the remaining battalions there, the officials told their US counterparts.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu’s, Israel, chalked, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, ”, Joe Biden’s, Jake Sullivan, Defense Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Austin, –, ” Biden, Ron Dermer, Tzachi Hanegbi, Blinken, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, Oren Liebermann Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Biden, Defense, “, Israel Defense Forces, US Locations: Rafah, Gaza, Israel, Washington

☆ US preparing for significant Iran attack on US or Israeli assets in the region as soon as next week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —The US is on high alert and actively preparing for a “significant” attack that could come as soon as within the next week by Iran targeting Israeli or American assets in the region in response to Monday’s Israeli strike in Damascus that killed top Iranian commanders, a senior administration official tells CNN. Senior US officials currently believe that an attack by Iran is “inevitable” – a view shared by their Israeli counterparts, that official said. A forthcoming Iranian attack was a major topic of discussion on President Joe Biden’s phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. As of Friday, the two governments did not know when or how Iran planned to strike back, the official said. At least six Syrian citizens were also killed, Iranian state television reported on Tuesday.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Mohammed Reza Zahedi, Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, Zahedi, Donald Trump, IRGC, Qassem Soleimani, ”, Sabrina Singh, Israel, it’s, ” Singh, Israel’s, CNN’s Helen Regan, Hamdi Alkhshali, Tamara Qiblawi Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, Senior, Israeli, Revolutionary Guards, Foreign Ministry, US, National Security, United, US State Department, Hamas, Ministry of Health Locations: Iran, Damascus, Israel, Syria, Baghdad, United States, Tehran, Gaza

CNN —When President Joe Biden met with a group of Muslim community leaders this week, he recounted a recent conversation he had with first lady Jill Biden relating to the conflict in Gaza. Another participant, who declined to be named, told CNN they remembered the president saying that the first lady had used these words: “Stop it. “Just like the President, the First Lady is heartbroken over the attacks on aid workers and the on-going loss of innocent lives in Gaza,” said Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for the first lady. The president and first lady have both appeared with Andres on trips abroad and highlighted World Central Kitchen’s work. “When Hamas attacked Israel, Joe knew what to do,” she told donors at event in Atherton, California, in November.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Biden, “ It’s, ”, Nahreen Ahmed, Ahmed, she’s, Elizabeth Alexander, “, Jose Andres, Andres, Joe, “ wouldn’t Organizations: CNN, White, Israel, The New York Times, Kitchen, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Canadian, Atherton , California, Tucson , Arizona

The 30-minute conversation was the two leaders’ first phone call since an Israeli strike killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in Gaza. The killings have set off a furor inside the White House and Biden has been described as reaching a new level of frustration with Israel’s campaign. “President Biden emphasized that the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable,” the White House said in a statement shortly after the call wrapped. Blinken said Israel should not stoop to the level of Hamas in its response to the group’s October 7 attacks. Blinken acknowledged the World Central Kitchen strike was not the first time Israel has killed aid workers in the conflict.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s, ’, Biden, “, ” Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, ”, John Kirby, Kirby, Blinken, ” Blinken, haven’t, ” Kirby, Biden’s, Democratic Sen, Chris Coons –, CNN’s Sara Sidner, Netanyahu, Jennifer Hansler, Donald Judd Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, National Security, White House, Central Kitchen, Capitol Hill, Democratic, CNN, Israel, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Brussels, Blinken, United States, Rafah

☆ Deaths of World Central Kitchen workers touches off fury inside Biden White House
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Biden’s statement Tuesday evening that mourned the deaths of the seven workers included some of the most fiery and blunt language from the president since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October. He explicitly blamed Israel for failing to protect aid workers and civilians, and he said, “Incidents like yesterday’s simply should not happen.”The strike on the World Central Kitchen workers has been a “standout incident” as far as the Biden White House is concerned, the official said, prompting serious consternation and concern in what had already been a moment of high tensions between the US and Israel. The president discussed the deaths of the workers with a small group of Muslim community leaders at the White House Tuesday, according to one of the attendees. Some of the participants were doctors who have spent time in Gaza and have seen first-hand the plight of the Palestinian civilians there. One of them, CNN reported, walked out of the meeting early in a show of protest.

Persons: Joe Biden, “, ”, –, Biden, Israel, Salima Suswell Organizations: CNN, Central, Biden White, White, Black Muslim Leadership Council Locations: Israeli, Gaza, Israel

☆ Biden and Xi speak for first time since November summit amid global tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Mj Lee | Donald Judd | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

It is about verifying, as the president says,” the official told CNN when asked about Xi’s pledge that Beijing will not interfere in the US’ 2024 election. The Biden administration plans to continue stressing to Beijing the US’ grave concerns about Chinese efforts to hack US critical infrastructure, the official said. “We would hope there would be a chance for another in-person meeting” in the near future, the senior administration official said. A Treasury official told reporters Monday she planned to have frank discussions on what the administration considers “unfair” trade practices from China. In January, Sullivan met with the Chinese foreign minister in Bangkok, and Blinken met with the Chinese official in Munich in February.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, ”, Antony Blinken, Xi, Xi –, Jake Sullivan, Vladimir Putin, “, Yellen, Janet Yellen, Sullivan, Blinken, Lloyd Austin, CNN’s Sam Fossum, Arlette Saenz Organizations: Washington CNN, White, Biden, CNN, Treasury, Defense Locations: Gaza, Ukraine, Washington, Beijing, Taiwan, South, Taiwan Strait, China, Woodside , California, California, ”, Russia, Guangzhou, Bangkok, Munich

Still, officials from both countries described the meeting as “constructive” in a joint statement and said another, in-person meeting could take place as early as next week. The Israeli delegation included national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer, who chaired the meeting. Pentagon officials shared some of their alternatives for Rafah with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant when he was in town last week. Netanyahu has said he is undeterred by the Biden administration’s opposition to an invasion of Rafah. Vice President Kamala Harris left the door open last week for unspecified consequences for Israel if it decides to proceed.

Persons: Biden, Monday’s, Jake Sullivan, Antony Blinken, Jon, Brett McGurk, Jack Lew, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ron Dermer, “ It’s, Lloyd Austin, Yoav Gallant, Austin, Israel “, ”, Karine Jean, Pierre, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, “, ” Still, Kamala Harris, Kevin Liptak, Donald Judd Organizations: Washington CNN —, CNN, White, White House, State Department and Department of Defense, Biden, Pentagon, Israeli, United Nations Security, Netanyahu’s Locations: United States, Israel, Rafah, Gazan, Gaza, “, ”, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, New York

☆ Trump is a ringmaster of multiple sideshows as Biden cranks up pace of reelection bid
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

That’s a sharp contrast to Biden, who this week wrapped up his post State of the Union tour in North Carolina. The state was in Trump’s column in 2020 and 2016, but Democrats think they can seriously put it back in play. Trump was back in his former home state on Thursday, attending a wake for a fallen police officer on Long Island. It’s too early to say whether unseen work that the Trump campaign is doing to build organizations in key states is paving the way for a successful run back to the Oval Office. Biden tries to build on State of the Union performanceUnlike Trump, Biden has been campaigning in a way that leaves no doubt about the stakes of the coming election.

Persons: Donald Trump, –, Joe Biden, That’s, Biden, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, ” Biden, Roe, Wade, Trump, ”, It’s, There’s, Nikki Haley, Jonathan Diller, Juan Merchan, Letitia James, can’t, MAGA, Kamala Harris, White, – Biden, “, Donald, Democrats –, Clinton, Obama, CNN’s MJ Lee, Donald Judd Organizations: CNN, America, Union, Trump, Republican, South Carolina Gov, Republican National Committee, RNC, Washington, Democratic, New York, Nasdaq, Intel, Democrats, Radio City Music, Israel, Hamas, Arab Locations: New York, Trump’s, North Carolina, Long, Michigan, “, Arizona, Raleigh, Biden’s, Gaza

☆ Biden hosts fundraiser with his two-term Democratic presidential predecessors, striving to join their ranks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Michael Williams | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden on Thursday will join Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, the only living two-term Democratic presidents, aiming to use their star power to woo big-pocketed donors as Biden tries to join their ranks. The fundraiser is being held off-camera, though pool reporters will be able to report on the three presidents’ remarks. The Biden campaign said ahead of the fundraiser it had raised more than $25 million – making it the most successful single political fundraiser ever in terms of dollars raised. The fundraiser on Thursday is expected to be just the beginning of Obama’s involvement in Biden’s campaign. He is expected to take a larger role in Biden’s campaign – including traveling to college campuses and crucial battleground stakes – closer to November.

Persons: Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Biden, Clinton, Stephen Colbert, Annie Leibovitz, Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, Lea Michele, ’, Jimmy Carter, Donald Trump, Trump, Jonathan Diller, Diller, ” Trump, “, ”, Julie Chávez Rodriguez, Obama, who’ve, Jeff Zeleny, Donald Judd, Brian Rokus, Kristen Holmes, Fredreka Schouten Organizations: Washington CNN, Obama, Radio City Music Hall, Biden, CNN, Hamas Locations: New York, America, Queens, Midtown Manhattan, Israel, Gaza, North Carolina

☆ Obama jumps in to help Biden defeat Trump again
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Mj Lee | Jeff Zeleny | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Washington CNN —Barack Obama spent several hours last Friday in the family dining room of the White House, visiting his former vice president, Joe Biden. Obama’s biggest embrace of Biden’s reelection effort comes Thursday at a star-studded Manhattan fundraiser featuring Biden, Obama and former President Bill Clinton. As president, Biden has also been in frequent touch with Clinton, sources familiar say. “President Obama once said to me that every president is a reflection of the previous president, and he’s right,” Messina said. “Trump was the complete opposite of Obama, and Biden is the complete opposite of Trump.

Persons: Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Obama, Biden’s, Donald Trump, Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Joe, Kamala, ” Obama, we’ve, Jeff Zients, Bill Clinton, Stephen Colbert, Clinton, “, ”, Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Cynthia Erivo, Mindy Kaling, Ben Platt, Lea Michele, Jordan Roth, Alex Timbers, Annie Leibovitz, Steve Ricchetti, –, Jim Messina, Messina, ” Messina, “ Trump Organizations: Washington CNN, White House, House, CNN, Affordable, Biden, Biden’s, Presidents Club, Radio City Music Hall, Democrats, White, Republican, Trump Locations: White, president’s State, Manhattan, , Gaza, Obama’s, United States

☆ Three presidents and one mission: Beat Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

CNN’s MJ Lee and Jeff Zeleny reported Wednesday that Obama was in the White House for a working visit just last week. Two Democratic presidents who won second terms are uniting to try to usher a successor, who is older than both of them, into the same rarified political air. And Clinton has been out of the White House for nearly a quarter of a century. But Biden was also a valuable ally for Clinton after the president’s impeachment over an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. And after he became vice president, Biden developed a friendly and cordial relationship with Hillary Clinton, maintained by regular breakfasts at the vice president’s official residence in Washington.

Persons: –, Joe Biden’s, he’s, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, Obama, CNN’s MJ Lee, Jeff Zeleny, Biden, Clinton, Trump, Jonathan Diller, Jimmy Carter, George W, Bush, it’s, Leon Panetta, “, ” Panetta, Joe Biden, ”, Biden’s, ” Clinton, Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, Gabriel Debenedetti, irked Obama’s, Beau, ” Biden, Robert Hur, “ I’m, Clinton’s, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Monica Lewinsky Organizations: CNN, Trump, White, Radio City Music, Democratic, ’, New York, Police, White House, African, Central, Democratic National Convention, Republican, Obama, Democratic Party, Alliance ”, Biden, Black, African American Democratic Locations: New York, Washington, America, Delaware, Illinois, Yugoslavia, Ukraine, Iraq, South Carolina

☆ Netanyahu’s decision to cancel Rafah meetings causes new rupture with Biden
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Kevin Liptak | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Those alternatives will still be shared, American officials said, including in talks early this week between top Biden advisers and Israel’s defense minister. Hours after the delegation was canceled, Israeli minister Gideon Sa’ar submitted his resignation from the current government after not being included in the war cabinet. That led American officials to view Netanyahu’s statements Monday that the US had changed its position as peculiar and strange, the official said. Indeed, Biden’s advisers have been weighing various options for how to respond should the Rafah operation proceed. “We have no way to defeat Hamas without entering Rafah,” Netanyahu said after meetings at the end of last week with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, Gideon Sa’ar, Donald Trump, “, hadn’t, Biden’s, Israel, –, Ramadan, “ I’ve, I’ve, Kamala Harris, Harris, ”, ” Biden, “ We’ll, ” Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, ” Blinken Organizations: Washington CNN, Israeli, United Nations Security, United Nations Security Council, UN, White, ABC, Democratic, Netanyahu Biden Locations: Washington, Gaza, Rafah, Israel, United States, American, Egypt

☆ Israel slams Hamas’ latest Gaza ceasefire proposal as ‘ridiculous’ but says it will send negotiators to latest talks
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Alex Marquardt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The response from Hamas was long-awaited after discussions over a proposed six-week pause in the fighting appeared to stall. Hamas communicated their latest proposal via mediators Qatar and Egypt on Thursday, two sources familiar with the negotiations told CNN. On Friday, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “Hamas is continuing to hold to unrealistic demands” but announced that an Israeli team would soon be traveling to Doha to further talks. The Hamas proposal included 100 prisoners serving life sentences in Israeli prisons, the diplomat said. Even if both Hamas and Israel are participating in the talks, the two sides would not be in the same room.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, ”, Antony Blinken, Israel, ” Blinken, Bill Burns, David Barnea, John Kirby, we’ve, ” Kirby, CNN’s MJ Lee, Ireland’s, Biden nodded, ” Basem Naim, CNN’s Amir Tal, MJ Lee, Betsy Klein, Abeer Salman Organizations: CNN, Qatar, Hamas, Reuters, CIA, Biden, National Security, White House Locations: CNN — Israel, Gaza, Israel, Egypt, Israeli, Doha, Rafah, Qatar, Jordan

☆ Democratic senators have privately warned White House that votes aren’t there to confirm Biden’s Muslim judicial nominee
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But some allies of the White House on Capitol Hill have made clear that there is not enough support – including among Democrats – to confirm Mangi in the full Senate, those sources said. The controversy surrounding Mangi’s nomination comes at a moment of heightened political tensions across the country since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. The White House and Democratic lawmakers have pushed back, accusing Republicans of Islamophobic attacks that are based on Mangi’s ethnic background and touting support from Jewish groups. The White House has also called on senators such as Cruz to apologize to Mangi. “Treatment of this highly qualified nominee has sometimes reached an all-time low.”CNN has reached out to Durbin’s office for additional comment.

Persons: Adeel Mangi, Joe Biden’s, Biden, Mangi, –, Texas Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Rutgers University –, Cruz, ” Cruz, ” Mangi, “, ”, Jeff Zientz, Shuwanza Goff, White, Ed Siskel, Andrew Bates, ’ ” Bates, “ Mr, Dick Durbin, ” Durbin Organizations: Washington CNN —, Democratic, CNN, US, Appeals, White, Capitol, Texas Republican, Center for Security, Rights, Rutgers University, White House, Defamation League, Senate, Committee, House Locations: New York, Israel

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