President Biden's tough stance against Israel in its war on Hamas has failed to appease Muslim and Arab American leaders, who say their communication with the White House has broken down, according to a report in the New York Times.
The New York Times has shed light on the growing rift between President Biden and Muslim leaders in America, even as he embraces a more critical stance against Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Despite Biden's decision to withhold weapons from Israel if it invades Rafah, the densely populated city in Gaza and Hamas' last stronghold, his actions have been met with disappointment and skepticism by Muslim and Arab American leaders who feel they have been ignored and side-lined.
According to the Times report, Biden's announcement is seen as "too little, too late" by many, who believe it falls short of the necessary condemnation of the Israeli invasion. Abbas Alawieh, a Michigan-based activist, told the Times, "He needs to come out against this war. Period. That would be significant."
Osama Siblani, publisher of the Arab American News, echoed these sentiments, saying, "I have told them frankly: 'Don't waste your time anymore unless you have something substantial. This is a waste of time.'"
Siblani has been a vocal supporter of Hezbollah in the past, raising concerns about the administration's willingness to engage with certain Muslim groups.
It has been reported that top Biden aides have held listening sessions with Muslim leaders in Dearborn, Mich. and Chicago. However, Arab American leaders have stated that until the administration calls for a permanent cease-fire, there is no need for further dialogue.
The Times warns that Biden's faltering ties with the Muslim community could pose a significant problem in his reelection effort, pointing to double-digit protest results in multiple Democratic primary contests earlier this year.
Notably, while Biden has designated a White House official as the liaison to American Muslim communities, there is currently not a similar role in his campaign.
In a meeting with Dearborn leaders, the administration liaison, Mazen Basrawi, apologized for the lack of communication, according to an audio recording reviewed by the Times. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also reportedly planning to meet with prominent Arab American groups but has been delayed due to his overseas travels.
Wa'el Alzayat, chief of the Muslim activist group Emgage, turned down a White House dinner invitation last month, saying, "We don't take lightly the opportunity to meet with the president. But at some point, as organizations that have turned out the vote largely for Democrats, by expecting us to show up to these things and not delivering on policy, they're actually burning us."
Alzayat acknowledged that Biden's pivot against Israel is "promising and important" but expressed concern that it "might be too late for Rafah" as Israel continues its military operation.
Arab American Institute founder and longtime DNC member James Zogby said his most recent letter to the White House as well as multiple phone calls and text messages have gone unanswered for months.
"I've never had the feeling of being so shut out as I feel right now," Zogby told the Times. "And it's not just me. It's leadership across the country."
White House spokesman Andrew Bates responded to the Times report, saying, "Each article should have at least 10 paragraphs."
