By Mallika Soni,News18

Copyright news18

Former US President Barack Obama was interrupted during a discussion at the Jefferson Educational Society’s Global Summit when an audience member shouted slogans related to Palestine. In conversation with journalist Steve Scully, the 44th US President had been addressing the Israel-Palestine conflict when the disruption occurred.
Barack Obama responded calmly, “Sir, I am not the President of the United States, currently. So, there is no point in shouting at me. I am not in charge of foreign policy, currently.”
He added, “Don’t shout at me!”

OBAMA: Sir, I’m not the President of the United States, currently. So, there’s no point in shouting at me. I’m not in charge of foreign policy currently. pic.twitter.com/tRzXxvNlbq
— Acyn (@Acyn) September 17, 2025

Following the interruption, Barack Obama chose to expand on the subject, describing the conflict as rooted in a “zero-sum game” mentality where one group’s gain is seen only as another’s loss.
“When we don’t see people as people, bad things happen. When we dehumanize people, bad things happen. And America at our best stands for the idea that everybody counts and everybody’s equal under the law and has an inherent dignity and respect,” Barack Obama said.
He also voiced concern about America’s global moral standing, warning, “And that idea, that idea, when we lose that idea here- the whole world gets dimmer. And we’re seeing it right now. Autocrats feel like, oh, we’ve got a license now, because America, they seem to be okay with it. In fact, they’re kind of doing some of the same things we’re doing.”
Barack Obama condemned both the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel, which killed civilians, and Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, which has left tens of thousands dead. He cautioned against dehumanization on both sides as he said, “Those who carried out October 7th believed those families were less than human. And those who now withhold food and medicine from millions are also dehumanizing.”
His remarks come as the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to climb. Local health officials report more than 65,000 Palestinians killed since the conflict began. Meanwhile, a UN-mandated investigative commission this week accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza, alleging intent to “destroy the Palestinian people.” The issue is expected to dominate next week’s annual UN summit in New York.