Muslim Leaders in Chicago Decline Meeting with Biden Officials Over Gaza War Support
More than 40 Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab American leaders and groups in Chicago have refused a meeting with White House officials, citing the US's continued funding of Israel's war on Gaza. The leaders expressed that they had already made their demand for a permanent ceasefire clear to the Biden administration through prior discussions, protests, and media interviews. They emphasized the need for serious action, stating that another meeting would only serve to whitewash months of White House inaction followed by meek handouts. The refusal follows similar actions by Muslim and Arab American groups throughout the nation who are critical of Joe Biden's handling of Israel's war in Gaza. This comes as more than 100,000 Arab Americans live in Chicago, while at least 350,000 Muslims reside in Illinois.
The rejection of the meeting is part of a broader trend of dissatisfaction with the Biden administration's approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict. In late January, 15 Michigan leaders canceled a listening session with Biden's re-election campaign, emphasizing that the issue at hand is one of humanity, not merely a political or electoral concern. Additionally, Palestinian Americans rejected an invitation to a roundtable discussion with the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, which they described as a "box-ticking exercise." Despite previous meetings with Biden's senior advisers in Dearborn, Michigan, where officials listened to their concerns, the leaders in Chicago are pushing for concrete actions, including a flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza, reinstatement of funding to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, accountability for Israel, and justice and liberation for Palestinians.
The refusal also coincides with growing concern within the Biden administration as Democratic voters have registered mounting warnings in recent primaries. More than 100,000 Michigan voters in the state's Democratic primary selected "uncommitted" last month in protest of Biden's position on the war, and similar efforts have taken off in Washington, Minnesota, and Georgia. In Illinois, some leaders are encouraging the electorate to cast a protest vote, suggesting that Palestinians in the Muslim American community leave their ballots blank or write 'Gaza' to demonstrate their engagement in the electoral process while expressing their stance on the issue.
Despite the rejection, a White House official stated that senior aides will still meet with some local leaders in Chicago as part of an ongoing process to engage with communities impacted by the Mideast conflict. However, the Chicago groups and leaders have made it clear that they are seeking tangible outcomes and not just token meetings, emphasizing that history will judge them by their actions, not by additional discussions when every day is of the essence.
News Agencies