The meeting at the White House on Tuesday involving Muslim leaders discussing Gaza ended on a contentious note when the sole Palestinian American participant, Dr. Thaer Ahmad, walked out in protest after handing President Joe Biden a letter from an 8-year-old orphan girl living in Rafah. This act of protest was part of a string of slights from Muslim community leaders towards White House and Biden campaign officials as they engage with Muslim American, Arab American, and progressive voters over the Gaza conflict. Some invitees to White House meetings have declined to attend publicly, while protests demanding a ceasefire have interrupted several of Biden’s campaign and official events.
White House officials have been meeting with prominent Arab Americans across the country, but some attendees have been upset about meetings only including Biden campaign officials and not White House decision-makers. Despite the snubs and protests, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that the administration will continue to engage with the community and listen to their concerns. President Biden expressed his commitment to working towards a ceasefire in Gaza and increasing humanitarian aid while mourning the loss of innocent lives in the conflict.
The protests over Biden’s support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict have been a significant challenge for his administration, especially as they try to capitalize on momentum after his State of the Union address. The President has faced protests at public events, including high-dollar fundraisers, demonstrating disapproval over his handling of the situation in Gaza. The meeting with Muslim leaders was initially meant to be an Iftar fast-breaking dinner, but plans changed due to concerns about discussing the crisis over dinner while people in Gaza are suffering.
Following Ahmad’s departure, another attendee from the Muslim-American community, Dr. Nahreen Ahmed, expressed frustration with the meeting, feeling that it may have been more of a PR move than an opportunity for actionable change. President Biden’s response focused on the events of October 7 and the complexities of eradicating Hamas, while emphasizing ongoing talks towards a ceasefire. Despite calls for a temporary ceasefire, Biden has not supported a permanent ceasefire, drawing criticism from progressives over an $18 billion sale of fighter jets to Israel.
Biden’s administration has condemned Israeli actions in Gaza, including an incident that killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen. However, the administration continues to support Israel’s war against Hamas, stating that Israel will have American support in eliminating the threat. The US does not plan to conduct an independent investigation into the strikes and will rely on Israel’s investigation. The administration’s stance on Israel’s campaign in Gaza has sparked criticism from various groups, including progressives who question the level of support provided to Israel in the conflict.
