Obama Includes Palestinians in Passover Message, Excludes Mention of Hostages

In his Passover message on Monday, former President Barack Obama made a point to include Palestinians in the context of the Jewish holiday, urging empathy for those enduring hardship in both “Israel and Gaza,” and advocating for solidarity with “people of all religions.”

However, Obama’s message lacked clarity regarding the ongoing situation where Palestinian terrorists are holding 133 Israeli hostages. Rather than addressing this issue directly, he emphasized the importance of remembering those who are unable to celebrate the holiday with their families. Additionally, he overlooked the prevalence of antisemitism on college campuses and in cities governed by Democrats, stating that “people of all religions … deserve to feel safe and secure” regardless of their location.

Tonight, Jewish families around the world will begin the celebration of Passover with the traditional seder meal. Michelle and I loved the seders we held in the White House, and the story of Passover – with its focus on resilience, redemption, and renewal in the face of… pic.twitter.com/taCJmFBVqv

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 22, 2024

Obama also misinterpreted the significance of the Passover holiday, which is not merely about “resilience, redemption, and renewal,” but specifically about freedom — the liberation of the Israelite slaves during the Exodus from Egypt.

The term “freedom,” akin to “hostages” and “antisemitism,” was notably absent from Obama’s message. He also overlooked the significance that, for many Jews, the liberation of the hostages, many of whom are still in captivity, is a central theme of Passover this year.

Initially, Obama offered unwavering support to Israel following Hamas’ initiation of conflict with its terror attack on October 7. However, facing pressure from left-wing activists — and before Israel had launched its operation in Gaza — he backpedaled and began to express ambiguity.