Elizabeth O.
In an act of protest, Palestinian-American doctor Thaer Ahmad walked out of a meeting with President Joe Biden, underscoring the anger and concern within these communities, Aso Naija Reports.
The meeting, initially planned as an Iftar dinner to break the Ramadan fast, was changed to a meeting due to the discomfort of the participants in having a celebratory meal while Gaza faces the threat of famine.
This incident reflects the strained relationship between the administration and the Muslim American community.
The administration’s attempts to hold meetings in key states have been hindered by declined invitations, and its relationships with important community groups have deteriorated since the beginning of the war.
President Biden has faced protests and interruptions at public events in recent months, but Ahmad’s decision to leave the meeting marks one of the most personal acts of protest the president has encountered to date since the start of the Israeli campaign in Gaza following Hamas’ attack on October 7.
This event serves as a reminder to the president of the political challenge he faces with key constituents, including Arab and Muslim Americans and progressive voters, as his administration continues to support Israel’s actions in the Palestinian enclave.
Following the meeting, a White House official acknowledged the pain felt by many in the Muslim and Arab communities and stated that President Biden mourns the loss of innocent lives in the conflict.
The official also expressed the administration’s commitment to working towards an immediate ceasefire and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Ahmad, who had previously traveled to Gaza as part of a medical delegation from the NGO MedGlobal, shared his experiences during the meeting.
He spoke about the massive number of displaced, injured, and dying people he witnessed and voiced his opposition to an anticipated Israeli offensive in Rafah.
Before leaving the meeting, Ahmad handed President Biden a letter from an eight-year-old girl named Hadeel, who had been orphaned and was living in Rafah.
The translated letter pleaded with President Biden to prevent the entry of Israeli forces into Rafah.
US officials have cautioned Israel against expanding its military operations into Rafah without a comprehensive plan to protect civilian lives.
Ahmad believed it was important to attend the meeting, but he did not find it appropriate to discuss death and famine over a dinner. Several other invited guests also declined the invitation.
Ahmad expressed his desire to stand up and walk away from the decision-makers in a similar manner to how they were walking away from his people. He plans to return to Gaza in the coming weeks.
The overwhelming suffering in Gaza has led to a sense of survivors’ guilt among Palestinians. It is difficult for them to live their lives normally while knowing that people in Gaza are enduring immense hardship.
Ahmad also sought to challenge the assertion that Hamas is using hospitals, shelters, and schools as bases and command centers.
He stated that he did not witness any evidence of such activities during his time in Gaza.
Later that night, Ahmad urged the Biden administration to take a stronger stance on protecting aid workers and civilians in Gaza.
He emphasized that mere rhetoric and apologies from the president were insufficient and that concrete action was needed.
Dr. Nahreen Ahmed, an ICU physician from Philadelphia who also attended the meeting, described Ahmad’s departure as a heartfelt plea rooted in his personal experiences as a Palestinian American witnessing the atrocities in Gaza.
After Ahmad left, the other five attendees from the Muslim American community took turns speaking on various topics during the meeting, which lasted over an hour.
However, some participants felt frustrated, perceiving the meeting as a public relations move rather than a space for actionable solutions.
Ahmed and others addressed issues such as aid distribution, overwhelmed hospitals, the need for maritime support, and the violation of international humanitarian law. Ahmed mentioned that an imam urged President Biden to realign his moral compass.
Biden initially focused on the events of October 7, dismissing the death toll in Palestine. He went on to discuss the complexities of eradicating Hamas and ongoing talks with regional leaders to achieve a ceasefire.
Ahmed considered it essential to attend the meeting and humanize the suffering she had witnessed firsthand in Gaza. Her encounter with Vice President Kamala Harris, where she discussed the lack of food in Gaza, confirmed to her the necessity of having these conversations.
Despite this incident, Harris has been vocal in denouncing the humanitarian catastrophe and crisis in Gaza, and she has previously highlighted reports of people resorting to eating animal feed in public remarks.
