Biden’s iftar downsized amid Arab-Muslim anger over Gaza

As US President Joe Biden attempted to host an iftar dinner for Ramadan in the White House on April 2, several Muslim and Arab leaders’ invitees withdrew from the event. 

One of the attendees, Dr. Thaer Ahmad, who has recently returned to the US from Gaza, told Biden that he cannot attend this event while people in Gaza are being killed, as reported by media. 

Media sources also revealed that Dr. Ahmad handed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the US Vice-President, a message from a displaced Palestinian child, still in Rafah, orphaned due to the IOF killing his parents. 

They added that many of the invitees did not feel comfortable celebrating such an event with Biden while Palestinians were grappling with war and famine. 

This withdrawal, a sign of “clear anger”, prevented Biden from achieving his goal of a “small and calm” iftar after many prominent figures from the Arab and Muslim communities in the US rejected his invitation in protest. 

Iftar invitation turned into meeting 

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on April 2 that Biden will not organize a public reception for Ramadan this year, unlike what he did in 2022 and 2023.

Instead, she said, “President Biden will host a meeting with Muslim community leaders to discuss issues of importance to the community.”

She added that this was based on a request from the Muslim community, which the White House understands. 

Before iftar time, Biden invited many attendees to an extended meeting at the White House to further discuss the Israeli war on Gaza, claiming that he will do “everything in his power to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza.”

The White House affirmed to the attendees that its position is clear and it rejects the Israeli Rafah invasion plan that does not take into consideration the situation of the displaced Palestinians.

Leading figures of prominent Islamic non-governmental organizations in the United States also protested against the Ramadan iftar dinner organized by Biden by organizing an alternative iftar for a ceasefire in Gaza in front of the White House headquarters in Washington.

Democrat says Arab community opposes Biden policy with ‘Israel’ 

US President Joe Biden has made a “strategic mistake” by “bear-hugging” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the current war on Gaza, Biden campaign surrogate Ro Khanna said on March 14. 

“The bear-hugging of Netanyahu has been a strategic mistake,” Khanna added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he criticized the Israeli President for conducting “a callous war” in Gaza, despite his claims of opposition from the United States.

However, his criticisms of Biden’s errors might not be well-received at the White House.

Khanna suggested that Biden should establish “clear consequences for Netanyahu” if “Israel” does not alter its course.

“And that means if [Netanyahu] defies the United States, not allowing aid, or going into Rafah” – which Biden has emphasized that such an outcome must be avoided, while Netanyahu has indicated that it will occur – “[then] no more weapons transfers … unconditionally.”

“It means not protecting [Netanyahu] from the entire international community at the United Nations, it means recognizing a Palestinian state. And those are the things I think some of the Arab American community want,” he explicitly said.