A cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war could be possible “tomorrow” if the militant group releases hostages, President Joe Biden said Saturday as new evacuation orders were issued in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah.
“Israel said it’s up to Hamas,” he said at a private fundraiser in Medina, hosted by former Microsoft President Jon Shirley. “If they wanted to do it, we could end tomorrow.”
It was Biden’s second fundraiser stop in the Seattle area this weekend, as part of a West Coast fundraising swing as he and Vice President Kamala Harris gear up for their reelection bid against presumptive Republican nominee former President Donald Trump.
At a reception in downtown Seattle on Friday, Biden boasted about his administration’s record on jobs and climate and slammed Donald Trump as a threat to democracy.
He made no mention of the war in his Friday speech at Lotte Hotel Seattle, while protesters gathered outside criticized the president for his support of Israel’s war against Hamas.
Some said it was too little, too late, of Biden’s decision this past week to not provide offensive weapons to Israel for Rafah. His administration on Friday said there was “reasonable” evidence that Israel had breached international law protecting civilians — Washington’s strongest statement yet on the matter.
Tens of thousands more people were told to evacuate Saturday, as Israel prepared to expand its military operation deeper into what is considered Gaza’s last refuge, according to The Associated Press.
Biden’s remarks Saturday were limited.
“I guess I shouldn’t get into all of this,” he said.
Instead, he continued with a 16-minute speech, repeating his warning of the consequences if Trump wins this fall.
“Folks, Trump is running for revenge,” Biden said. “I’m running to lead us to the future.”
Looking ahead, Biden again teased a potential job for Gov. Jay Inslee in his second-term administration, praising the outgoing governor as “the best governor in America on the environment and one of the best overall.
“I warn you all, if you like seeing him around Washington state, don’t elect me. But if you don’t mind him leaving the state a little bit, elect me because I’m going to try to grab him.”
In attendance were Sen. Maria Cantwell, U.S. Reps. Kim Schrier, Marilyn Strickland, Suzan DelBene and Adam Smith, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Chair Steve Edwards and major Democratic donors, including Microsoft President Brad Smith, Amazon general counsel David Zapolsky and former Costco CEO Jim Sinegal.
Biden had no public events during his Western Washington visit. He departed Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Air Force One on Saturday afternoon.
Seattle Times political reporter Jim Brunner contributed to this story, which includes material from The Associated Press.