In a bold move that could potentially impact President Joe Biden’s chances of reelection in 2024, several Muslim and Arab American groups are issuing a strong ultimatum, demanding immediate action to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. The National Muslim Democratic Council, an influential organization that includes Democratic Party leaders from key battleground states such as Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, has called on President Biden to leverage his influence with Israel to broker a ceasefire by 5 p.m. ET (2100 GMT) on Tuesday.
This ultimatum is outlined in an open letter titled “2023 Ceasefire Ultimatum,” where Muslim leaders have pledged to mobilize “Muslim, Arab, and allied voters” to withhold their endorsement, support, or votes for any candidate who endorses the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people. The council expressed its deep concern about the U.S. administration’s unconditional support, including funding and armaments, which they believe has contributed to the perpetuation of violence, causing civilian casualties and eroding trust among voters who had previously supported President Biden.
Engage, a Muslim American civic group, reported that nearly 1.1 million Muslims participated in the 2020 election, with 64% of them casting their votes for President Biden, a Democrat, and 35% for his Republican rival, Donald Trump. This significant voting bloc underscores their potential influence in future elections.
Additionally, the Arab American Institute estimates that 3.7 million Americans can trace their roots to an Arab country, and recent poll results indicate a significant drop in support for President Biden and the Democratic Party within this demographic.
The White House has responded to the concerns raised by these community members and political appointees within the administration. President Biden recently met with a select group of Muslim leaders to address these issues.
While the White House spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, did not comment on the poll, she emphasized that the administration is aware of the challenges faced by American Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim, including hate-fueled attacks. She stated that the Biden administration has been engaging with Arab and Muslim community members, Jewish leaders, and political appointees within the administration to address their concerns.
Muslim leaders insist that the conflict in Gaza must come to an end, and some have gone so far as to threaten to withdraw their support for President Biden’s potential 2024 reelection bid unless tangible steps are taken to broker a ceasefire.
Jaylani Hussein, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Minnesota, expressed that he felt compelled to vote against President Biden in 2024 unless he actively works to end the conflict. He clarified that he was speaking as an individual and not on behalf of CAIR, which is prohibited from engaging in political campaigns.
Local pro-Palestinian groups have planned a protest in Minneapolis during President Biden’s visit to Minnesota, where they intend to voice their frustration over what they perceive as a lack of condemnation from the President regarding Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The conflict in Gaza escalated following an attack by Palestinian Hamas militants on October 7th, which Israel claims resulted in 1,400 casualties and 240 hostages. President Biden has acknowledged Israel’s right to defend its citizens but has also emphasized the importance of protecting innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza who are caught in the crossfire.
According to Gaza health authorities, the ongoing Israeli attacks since October 7th have resulted in the deaths of 8,525 people, including 3,542 children, while U.N. officials report that over 1.4 million of Gaza’s 2.3 million civilian population have been displaced.
Notably, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declared his refusal to agree to any cessation of the attacks on Gaza, with U.S. national security spokesman John Kirby suggesting that a ceasefire would primarily benefit Hamas.
Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian American lawmaker from Michigan, has also expressed her dissatisfaction with President Biden’s stance on the conflict, referring to it as “Israel’s genocidal campaign in Palestine” in a video posted on social media. She warned that their support could not be counted on in the 2024 election unless significant changes occur.
