President Biden visits New York City, says he 'hopes' for cease-fire in Gaza by next Monday
NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- President Joe Biden said he "hopes" for a cease-fire in Gaza by next Monday, when approached by reporters during his visit to New York City.
The president arrived in the city around 1 p.m. when he landed at JFK Airport and from there he took Marine One to the Wall Street Heliport.
During his stop, the president made a surprise appearance on NBC's 'Late Night with Seth Meyers.' His visit was met with Jewish anti-war protesters in the lobby of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Biden also made unannounced visit to the Van Leeuwen ice cream parlor next door to 30 Rock, where he made comments about the war in the Middle East.
He said he "hopes" to have a cease-fire in Gaza by March 4.
"I hope by the end of the weekend," the president said reporters. "My national security advisor tells me that we're close, it's not done yet. My hope is by next Monday we'll have a ceasefire."
During the president's visit earlier this month, more than 60 people were arrested as they tried to block Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side during a pro-Palestinian protest.
Here was the Commander in Chief's original schedule on Monday:
At 12:25 p.m., Biden departs the White House for JBA, where he departs from at 12:45 p.m.
At 1:40 p.m., Biden arrives at JFK Airport. He departs the airport at 1:50 p.m., and arrives on Wall Street at 2:10 p.m.
At 2:45 p.m., Biden attends a campaign fundraiser.
At 6:30 p.m., Biden departs Manhattan for JFK Airport, where he departs at 7 p.m.
At 8:05 p.m., Biden departs Joint Base Andrews and arrives at the White House at 8:15 p.m.
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