Biden invokes Irish Catholic background to establish with Palestinians

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — President Joe Biden in contrast Irish Catholics residing below British rule to the plight of the Palestinians whereas visiting a hospital in East Jerusalem.

“My background and the background of my household is Irish American, and now we have a protracted historical past of not basically in contrast to the Palestinian folks with Nice Britain and their perspective to Irish Catholics through the years, for 400 years,” Biden stated.

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The president drew the analogy in remarks on the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem on Friday earlier than studying from Seamus Heaney’s poem, The Remedy of Troy.

“It’s classically Irish, but it surely additionally might match Palestinians,” Biden stated. “It says: ’Historical past [teaches us not to] hope on this aspect of the grave. However then, as soon as in a lifetime [that] longed-for tidal wave of justice [rises] up, and hope and historical past rhyme.’”

“‘Hope and historical past rhyme,’” the president stated. “It's my prayer that we’re reaching a type of moments the place hope and historical past rhyme.”

Calling the hospital community the “spine” of the Palestinian healthcare system, Biden stated America believed in strengthening that basis.

“It’s a part of our dedication to assist well being and dignity to the Palestinian folks,” he stated, earlier than committing $100 million in U.S. humanitarian assist to the community.

The president’s cease to East Jerusalem got here on Day Three of a carefully watched go to to the Center East with stops in Israel, the West Financial institution, and Saudi Arabia.

Biden raised the problem of settlements within the territories throughout a gathering with Israeli leaders Thursday.

“It was a really constructive alternate between our aspect and the Israeli aspect,” the official stated.