High-ranking officials from the White House are set to engage in a crucial dialogue with leaders from Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian-American communities in Chicago this Thursday, according to multiple sources privy to the meeting. The move comes as President Joe Biden grapples with nationwide discontent over the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The upcoming meeting is part of the Biden administration’s continuous efforts to directly address concerns about the situation in Gaza. However, the discussion is not expected to be limited to this issue. The officials are also anticipated to tackle the rising Islamophobia in the US, following the terror attacks by Hamas on October 7.
Among the expected attendees are Tom Perez, the White House’s director of intergovernmental affairs; Steve Benjamin, White House director of public engagement; Mazen Basrawi, White House liaison to Muslim-American communities; Curtis Ried, the National Security Council chief of staff; and aides Dan Koh and Jamie Citron.
Vivian Khalaf, chairman of the board of the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, expressed her deep dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s handling of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite being invited to the meeting, Khalaf declined to attend, highlighting the grim reality of the situation. “For every life we save by dropping food, at least 10 more are being killed by the dropping of bombs,” Khalaf stated, referring to the US’ recent efforts to airdrop humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Several community leaders familiar with the meeting disclosed an active effort by some to boycott the meeting as a means of pressuring Biden to advocate for a permanent ceasefire in the war. The White House declined to comment on this matter.
The meeting comes at a time when the Chicago area, home to a significant Muslim and Arab population, is still reeling from the recent death of 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume, who was allegedly targeted for being Muslim.
Despite escalating calls from Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other top US officials for a temporary ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, negotiations remain at a standstill. The humanitarian toll of the Israel-Hamas war continues to rise, and Biden faces increasing discontent within his own party over his handling of the conflict.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations reported a 178% increase in anti-Muslim or anti-Palestinian incidents during the last three months of 2023, with 3,578 complaints received. The meeting on Thursday is expected to address these concerns, among others.
The meeting coincides with Biden’s visit to Michigan, a state that saw over 100,000 “uncommitted” votes in the Democratic primary contest, largely due to anger over the president’s handling of the war. Last month, senior Biden administration officials met with members of Arab- and Muslim-American communities in Michigan, home to one of the country’s largest Arab and Muslim populations.
The White House has been actively reaching out to Arab and Muslim communities, having held over a hundred conversations with local and state leaders about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Internally, chief of staff Jeff Zients held a listening session with Muslim-, Arab- and Palestinian-American staff, directing Biden’s Cabinet to do the same.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.