Black faith leaders worry Biden is on 'wrong side of history' in Gaza
Newsy
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale and other faith leaders want President Biden to push harder for a cease-fire in Gaza.
A coalition of Black faith leaders is now pressuring President Biden to press Israel to stop its offensive in Gaza. More than 1,000 Black pastors have issued that demand.
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Hale, leader of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia, spoke with Scripps News about what she and other leaders want the Biden administration to do differently.
"What we would like to see Biden do is to immediately call for a cease-fire in Gaza," Rev. Hale said. "We understand and surely grieve with the people of Israel who lost 1,200 persons after Hamas attacked them. And we also understand their need to protect themselves. But we also know that now some 27,000 people in Gaza have been killed, 10,000-plus children. People are literally living on the streets."
"What we want the president to do is to call for an immediate cease-fire and permanent peace in the region," Hale said. "We believe that he has that kind of influence. And we'd like the Congress to join with him."
The Black vote has been crucial for President Biden. The 2020 endorsement from U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn ahead of the South Carolina primary gave his campaign important momentum from Black voters in the state. This year, just days before the state's 2024 primary, ads featuring Rep. Clyburn are airing again.
