A Palestinian American doctor walked out of a meeting with President Joe Biden before it was over Tuesday evening, underscoring the high tensions, anger and concern from Arab, Palestinian and Muslim American communities amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Dr. Thaer Ahmad, an emergency physician from Chicago who traveled to Gaza earlier this year, told CNN he abruptly left the meeting that included Vice President Kamala Harris, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, other administration officials and a small group of Muslim community leaders.
It’s a stark reminder to the president of the political problem he faces with key parts of his coalition — including Arab and Muslim Americans and progressive voters — as his administration continues to stand by and support Israel’s war in the Palestinian enclave.
CNN previously reported that what was supposed to be an iftar dinner to break the Ramadan fast was changed to a meeting because participants didn’t feel comfortable having a celebratory meal while hundreds of thousands in Gaza are on the brink of famine.
Biden, the official said, “made clear that he mourns the loss of every innocent life in this conflict” and expressed commitment “to continue working to secure an immediate ceasefire as part of a deal to free the hostages and significantly increase humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
Later Tuesday night, Ahmad again pleaded for the Biden administration to take a stronger stance on protections for aid workers and civilians in Gaza, telling CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, “It cannot just be rhetoric.
Last year, the White House did not hold an iftar dinner – the breaking of the daily fast after sundown – but hosted nearly 350 people for a reception celebrating Eid al-Fitr, a festival marking the end of Ramadan.
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Dr. Thaer Ahmad, an emergency physician from Chicago who traveled to Gaza earlier this year, told CNN he abruptly left the meeting that included Vice President Kamala Harris, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, other administration officials and a small group of Muslim community leaders.
It’s a stark reminder to the president of the political problem he faces with key parts of his coalition — including Arab and Muslim Americans and progressive voters — as his administration continues to stand by and support Israel’s war in the Palestinian enclave.
CNN previously reported that what was supposed to be an iftar dinner to break the Ramadan fast was changed to a meeting because participants didn’t feel comfortable having a celebratory meal while hundreds of thousands in Gaza are on the brink of famine.
Biden, the official said, “made clear that he mourns the loss of every innocent life in this conflict” and expressed commitment “to continue working to secure an immediate ceasefire as part of a deal to free the hostages and significantly increase humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
Later Tuesday night, Ahmad again pleaded for the Biden administration to take a stronger stance on protections for aid workers and civilians in Gaza, telling CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, “It cannot just be rhetoric.
Last year, the White House did not hold an iftar dinner – the breaking of the daily fast after sundown – but hosted nearly 350 people for a reception celebrating Eid al-Fitr, a festival marking the end of Ramadan.
The original article contains 1,833 words, the summary contains 247 words. Saved 87%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!