Protests Against U.S. Support for Israeli War Dominate White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Protests outside the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday brought attention to U.S. President Joe Biden‘s support for the ongoing war in Gaza. Demonstrators, draped in Palestinian keffiyeh cloth, expressed their dissatisfaction with Western media coverage of the conflict and criticized journalists for what they perceived as undercovering the war.

Guests attending the glitzy event at the Washington Hilton were met with chants and signs calling for press coverage of the conflict. This year’s host, Colin Jost from Saturday Night Live, found himself amidst a politically charged atmosphere as protesters decried both the war in Gaza and the Western media’s portrayal of the situation.

The Secret Service and Washington Police worked together to ensure security for attendees while allowing demonstrators their right to assemble. The White House Correspondents’ Association gala, a staple event in Washington, was shadowed by the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Amidst calls for a ceasefire and demands for accountability, the evening highlighted tensions around the world, with journalists under threat for their reporting, exemplified by the incarceration of Evan Gershkovich in Russia. The Adalah Justice Project, a U.S.-based organization, played a significant role in drawing attention to the voices of journalists in Gaza.