White House

The president spoke at Morehouse College.

President Joe Biden speaks to graduating students at the Morehouse College commencement on May 19, 2024, in Atlanta. | Alex Brandon/AP

By Lauren Egan

05/19/2024 11:03 AM EDT

Updated: 05/19/2024 01:20 PM EDT

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ATLANTA — President Joe Biden decried the “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza while delivering a commencement address at Morehouse College on Sunday that featured mild applause but no interruption.

Speaking before the historic Black, all male college, the president addressed head on the Israel-Hamas war that is causing campus strife across the country.

He told graduates and alumni that he was pushing for “an immediate ceasefire” to “stop the fighting” and “bring the hostages home.” He called for a “two state solution” and deplored the violence on Oct. 7. “I support peaceful nonviolent protests. Your voices should be heard and I promise you I will hear them,” he added, noting that his own family members were angry and frustrated over the situation too.

Biden has grown accustomed to being confronted by protesters criticizing his support of Israel. But there was intense anticipation for the speech at Morehouse, as it was the first time he ventured onto a college campus — which have become the epicenter of pro-Paletinian protests and the site of tense, occasionally violent confrontations.

The day featured its moments of political expression. DeAngelo Jeremiah........

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