Quick Hit

First Lady Jill Biden was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters during a campaign speech in Tucson, Arizona, accusing the Bidens of supporting "genocide" in the Israel-Hamas war. 

Key Details

• First Lady Jill Biden was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters during a campaign speech in Tucson, Arizona.
• The protesters accused the Bidens of supporting "genocide" in the Israel-Hamas war.
• The incident occurred amidst President Biden's low approval ratings and the intensifying presidential race.

Diving Deeper

While campaigning for her husband in Tucson, Arizona, First Lady Jill Biden was interrupted by a group of pro-Palestinian hecklers. The First Lady was emphasizing the importance of the 2024 presidential election when the rowdy crowd interrupted her speech. The protesters accused the Bidens, who have been vocally supportive of Israel, of supporting "genocide" in the Israel-Hamas war.

"It's genocide!" one male demonstrator yelled. "You and your husband support the genocide of the Palestinian people!" In response, audience members began shouting, "Four more years," to quiet the disruptive group. After several seconds, the protesters were silenced. The First Lady thanked the supporters and continued with her speech.

"We are going to meet this moment as if our rights are at risk, because they are," she added. However, around a minute later, the pro-Palestinian demonstrators started yelling and interrupted her again. 

President Biden has been grappling with low approval ratings in recent months. According to a New York Times/Sienna College poll released Saturday, only 43% of respondents said they would vote for the sitting president if the election were held today. Forty-seven percent of respondents "strongly disapprove" of Biden's performance, and only 17% said they "strongly approve" of him. This incident with the pro-Palestinian protesters adds another layer of complexity to the challenges facing the Biden administration as they gear up for the 2024 election.