Several Muslim and Arab American groups are exerting pressure on US President Joe Biden, threatening to withhold donations and votes for his 2024 reelection unless immediate steps are taken to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
The National Muslim Democratic Council, comprising Democratic Party leaders from crucial states like Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, has called on Biden to leverage his influence with Israel to broker a ceasefire by 5pm ET (2100 GMT).
In an open letter, entitled "2023 Ceasefire Ultimatum", Muslim leaders pledged to mobilize "Muslim, Arab, and allied voters" to "withhold endorsement, support, or votes for any candidate who endorses the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people".
"Your administration's unconditional support, encompassing funding and armaments, has played a significant role in perpetuating the violence that is causing civilian casualties and has eroded trust in voters who previously put their faith in you," the council wrote.
Emgage, an American-Muslim civic group, revealed that nearly 1.1 million Muslims voted in the 2020 election, with 64% supporting Biden and 35% favouring his Republican rival, Donald Trump, according to Associated Press exit polls.
The Arab American Institute reported a significant drop in support for Biden and Democrats among the estimated 3.7 million Americans with roots in Arab countries.
Facing mounting concerns from the community and political appointees within his administration, Biden held a meeting with a few Muslim leaders last Thursday, as confirmed by a White House official.
While White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre did not comment on a recent poll, she acknowledged that Biden was aware of the challenges faced by American Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim, expressing respect for their perspectives.
The Biden administration has been actively engaging with Arab and Muslim community members, Jewish leaders, and political appointees to address various concerns.
Despite Biden's condemnation of rising antisemitism and Islamophobia, Muslim leaders insist that an end to the conflict is imperative. Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Minnesota, stated that he would vote against Biden in 2024 unless efforts were made to stop the fighting, emphasizing that he spoke as an individual, not on behalf of CAIR.
Local pro-Palestinian groups in Minneapolis have scheduled a protest during Biden's visit to Minnesota on Wednesday to voice their frustration over the lack of condemnation for Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The Arab and Muslim American communities express disappointment that Biden has not denounced Israel's actions following an Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants. Biden maintains that Israel has the right to defend its citizens but urges protection for innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Gaza health authorities report 8,525 casualties, including 3,542 children, since Oct. 7, while U.N. officials note that over 1.4 million of Gaza's 2.3 million civilian population have been made homeless.
Despite calls for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects any cessation of attacks on Gaza, with U.S. national security spokesman John Kirby asserting that Hamas stands to gain from a ceasefire.
Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian American lawmaker from Michigan, released a video criticizing Biden's support for what she termed "Israel's genocidal campaign in Palestine" and hinted at withholding support in the 2024 elections. Biden narrowly won Michigan's 16 Electoral College votes by 2.8 percentage points in 2020.
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