Joe Biden called for a “pause” in the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday, in response to a call from the crowd during remarks in Minneapolis.
A rabbi, who later identified herself as Jessica Rosenberg, called out: “Mr President, if you care about Jewish people, as a rabbi, I need you to call for a ceasefire.”
Biden said: “I think we need a pause. A pause means giv[ing] time to get the prisoners out.”
Israel says more than 1,400 people were killed, and more than 5,400 injured, after Hamas launched surprise attacks on 7 October. More than 240 hostages were taken.
Israeli strikes in response, predominantly in Gaza but also in the West Bank, have killed more than 9,000, according to the Gaza health ministry, which is run by Hamas. The same source says nearly 24,000 Palestinians have been injured.
Israel says 16 of its soldiers have been killed.
Biden has been under pressure to call for a ceasefire or a meaningful humanitarian pause in Israel’s campaign.
On Wednesday, Rosenberg was escorted out of the event in Minnesota, singing “ceasefire now”.
White House sources told media outlets that Biden was referring to pauses in which aid could be sent into Gaza and hostages taken out.
Biden said: “I’m the guy that convinced Bibi [the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu] to call for a ceasefire to let the prisoners out. I’m the guy that talked to Sisi [the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi] to convince him to open the door,” to let humanitarian aid enter Gaza and allow some people to leave, American citizens among them.
White House sources told news outlets Biden was referring to the case of Judith and Natalie Raanan, from Illinois, a mother and daughter released by Hamas last month during a pause in hostilities that lasted “a few hours” to facilitate the transfer.
“This is incredibly complicated for the Israelis,” Biden said. “It’s incredibly complicated for the Muslim world as well … I supported a two-state solution, I have from the very beginning.
“The fact of the matter is that Hamas is a terrorist organisation. A flat-out terrorist organisation.”
Biden’s main remarks in Minnesota concerned the US economy, as the president ratchets up his re-election campaign.
The event drew protesters, carrying flags and signs saying “Stop Bombing Children” and “Ceasefire Now”.
