American Muslims
Muslim and Arab American groups are threatening to withhold donations and votes for President Joe Biden’s 2024 reelection unless he takes immediate action to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
The National Muslim Democratic Council, which includes Democratic Party leaders from crucial swing states like Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, has urged Biden to use his influence with Israel to broker a ceasefire.
In an open letter titled “2023 Ceasefire Ultimatum,” Muslim leaders have pledged to mobilize “Muslim, Arab, and allied voters” to withhold their support for any candidate who endorses the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people.
They express concern about the unconditional support provided by the Biden administration, including funding and armaments, which they believe has contributed to the ongoing violence and civilian casualties.
Emgage, a Muslim-American civic group, reported that nearly 1.1 million Muslims voted in the 2020 election, with 64% voting for Biden and 35% for his Republican rival, Donald Trump.
The Arab American Institute notes that approximately 3.7 million Americans have roots in Arab countries and has found a significant drop in support for Biden and Democrats within this group.
Biden’s reelection campaign has not provided an immediate comment on these threats. The White House has been working to address concerns raised by community members and political appointees within the administration. Biden met with some Muslim leaders last Thursday.
Arab and Muslim American communities have expressed frustration with Biden’s response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, particularly after an Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants.
Biden has expressed support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens but has also emphasized the need to protect innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
Gaza health authorities report a high number of casualties, with thousands killed and a significant portion of the population left homeless. Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declined to agree to a cessation of the attacks, and U.S. national security spokesman John Kirby has suggested that Hamas would be the primary beneficiary of such a ceasefire.
Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian-American lawmaker from Michigan, has publicly criticized Biden’s stance on Israel’s actions in Palestine and has suggested that her vote in 2024 is not guaranteed for the President.
Michigan was a closely contested state in the 2020 election, with Biden winning by 2.8 percentage points.
