Biden says ‘order must prevail’ amid demonstrations

US President Joe Biden rejected calls from student protesters to change his approach to the war in Gaza while insisting that “order must prevail” as college campuses across the country face a wave of violence, outrage and fear.

“Dissent is essential for democracy,” Biden said at the White House. “But dissent must never lead to disorder.”

The Democratic president broke days of silence on the protests with his remarks, which followed mounting criticism from Republicans who have tried to turn scenes of unrest into a campaign cudgel. By focusing on a law-andorder message while defending the right to free speech, Biden is grasping for a middle ground on an intensely divisive issue in the middle of his reelection campaign.

He largely sidestepped protesters’ demands, which have included ending US support for Israeli military operations. Asked after his remarks whether the demonstrations would prompt him to consider changing course, Biden responded with a simple “no”.

Biden has never been much for protests. His career in elected office began as a county official when he was 28, and he’s always espoused the political importance of compromise.

As college campuses convulsed with anger over the Vietnam War in 1968, Biden was in law school at Syracuse University.

“I’m not big on flak jackets and tie-dyed shirts,” he said years later. “You know, that’s not me.” Ceasefire in offing?

Israel and Hamas appear to be seriously negotiating an end to the war in Gaza and the return of Israeli hostages. A leaked truce proposal hints at compromises by both sides after months of stalemated talks.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week praised Israel for offering what he described as significant concessions and saying “the time is now” for Hamas to seal the deal. Hamas leaders say they are reviewing the proposal in a “positive spirit” and sending a team to Egypt in the coming days to continue the talks.

Israeli leaders are weighing whether to accept a deal that would delay or prevent their planned ground invasion of Rafah — a scenario that falls short of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pledges of “total victory” and the destruction of Hamas.

Hamas’ militant leaders must decide if giving up the hostages, their biggest bargaining chip, is worth securing a long-term truce but not necessarily a permanent end to war.

The plan offered by Egyptian mediators aims to stave off Israel’s Rafah offensive, which the US says would have devastating consequences for more than a million displaced Palestinians.

The initial stage of the deal would last for 40 days. Hamas would start by releasing female civilian hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Israeli troops would then withdraw from a coastal road in Gaza and head inland to facilitate entry of humanitarian aid, allowing displaced civilians to return to the northern Gaza Strip.

Hamas would provide a list of hostages still alive.