TL/DR –
President Biden invited a group of prominent Muslim Americans to discuss Islamophobia after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, where attendees voiced their anger at perceived U.S. support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. Muslim community leaders fear the suffering of innocent Gazans has increased the likelihood of Islamophobic attacks in the U.S. The White House has tried to balance its messaging, affirming Israel’s right to defend itself while calling for caution and protection of Palestinian civilians, but this approach has led to disillusionment among some Arab and Muslim staff within the Biden administration.
President Biden Faces Criticism Over Handling of Israel-Hamas War
Track live updates on the Israel-Hamas war here.
Following the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, President Biden invited Muslim American leaders to discuss Islamophobia. At this White House gathering, participants voiced their dissatisfaction over Biden’s support for Israel post the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. They expressed outrage over Biden’s ambiguous remarks on Palestinian death toll, which they described as insulting.
Wa’el Alzayat, chief executive of Emgage, a Muslim voters’ mobilizing group, reported that Biden admitted to potential missteps and promised to do better, specifically in humanizing Palestinians. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, revealed that the war has heightened risks for US citizens too.
Despite the robust discussion, the group left the meeting without securing a commitment from Mr. Biden to call for a permanent cease-fire. The meeting underscored a broader challenge Mr. Biden faces—quelling anger among his longtime supporters and White House staff, especially those with Arab or Muslim backgrounds, who feel disenchanted with his administration.
Biden’s Balancing Act amid Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Biden administration officials insist that the president’s support for Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas’s deadly assault tempers with calls for restraint and protection of Palestinian civilians as the death toll soars.
In his Oct. 20 Oval Office address, Biden denounced Islamophobia and expressed grief over the loss of Palestinian life in the war.
Frustration peaked when Biden publicly doubted the accuracy of Palestinians’ reported death count. Critics argue that the president’s unwavering support for Israel appears unconditional, with the assault on Gaza claiming thousands of lives.
Implications for the 2024 Presidential Election
Biden’s stance on the war could significantly influence the 2024 presidential election outcome. Swing states such as Georgia and Michigan, boasting strong Arab and Muslim American voter turnouts, could prove pivotal. Some Arab Americans who campaigned for Biden in 2020 now feel betrayed by his actions.
Moreover, the war may have lasting repercussions. Dr. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, suggests that the conflict invokes the memory of the Nakba, the 1948 displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during Israel’s creation.
Article contribution: Peter Baker.
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