KEY POINTS:
- The White House has scrapped a B-52s performance at a state dinner for Anthony Albanese.
- The pop band had been scheduled to perform for Albanese and US President Joe Biden.
- Biden's press secretary was asked this week whether the performance would appear 'tone deaf'.
The White House has scrapped a performance by an 80s pop band during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's state dinner, after claims it could appear "tone deaf" because of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Biden administration has been forced to defend its decision to go ahead with Albanese's visit, as the conflict - - threatens to escalate.
The B-52s - behind the 80s hit 'Love Shack' - were scheduled to serenade Albanese and US President Joe Biden on Wednesday evening, at a state dinner to honour the Australia-US alliance.
But US First Lady Jill Biden on Tuesday evening revealed the "legendary" band will attend the dinner as guests only, with their performance replaced by the President's Marine Band to strike a more sombre tone.
"We are now in a time when so many are facing sorrow and pain, so we've made a few adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening," she said.
This week, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was pressed on whether the upcoming celebration appeared "tone deaf" given the situation in the Middle East.
Jean-Pierre insisted there was "no more important time than now" to strengthen the US' key alliances, which she stressed was a key element of President Biden's role.
The band had been scheduled to serenade the two leaders, but will now attend as guests only. Source: Getty / Joey Foley
"And so, that’s what you’re going to see. You’re going to see two leaders come together, continuing to talk about the partnership that they’re hoping to continue to put forward."
Biden back from Israel trip
Ms Biden insisted every detail of the dinner had been "thoughtfully planned", saying she was excited to show Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon "pieces of our country that make us proud".
"The United States and Australia may stand on opposite sides of the globe, different hemispheres, different seasons. But despite our distance, we share so much dedication to democracy, a reverence for freedom, a devotion to equality and a love for the natural wonders of our nation," she said.
More than 5000 Gaza residents have been killed by Israeli airstrikes since 7 October, when over 1400 Israeli civilians were massacred during a surprise attack launched by Hamas.
Joe Biden has recently returned from a trip to Israel. Source: AP / Evan Vucci
President Biden has only recently returned to the US from Israel, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to offer his support.
"We're going to make sure other hostile actors in the region know that Israel is stronger than ever and prevent this conflict from spreading," he said at a joint press conference.
"At the same time … Netanyahu and I discussed again yesterday the critical need for Israel to operate by the laws of war. That means protecting civilians in combat as best as they can."
Albanese's predecessor Scott Morrison received the honour of a state dinner under former US President Donald Trump in 2019. Morrison became the first Australian leader to be offered a US state dinner since John Howard in 2006.
