Palestinian American doctor leaves Biden meeting in protest

A Palestinian American doctor made a bold statement by walking out of a meeting with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other administration officials before it was over. Dr. Thaer Ahmad, an emergency physician from Chicago who had recently traveled to Gaza, left the meeting to protest the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The meeting, which was originally planned as an iftar dinner to break the Ramadan fast, was changed to a meeting due to the discomfort of participants celebrating while Gaza faced a humanitarian crisis. Ahmad’s departure highlighted the tensions and concerns within Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim American communities regarding the administration’s support for Israel during the conflict.

Ahmad, who had witnessed the devastation in Gaza firsthand, handed Biden a letter from an eight-year-old orphaned girl pleading for help to prevent further Israeli offensives in Rafah. He emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

Following Ahmad’s departure, other attendees from the Muslim American community expressed their frustrations and concerns during the meeting. Dr. Nahreen Ahmed, an ICU physician from Philadelphia, described the emotional plea made by Ahmad and the importance of addressing the suffering in Gaza.

The White House’s decision to change plans for the iftar dinner to a meeting with Muslim community leaders reflects the growing anger and concern within these communities over the handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The administration’s support for Israel amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has led to pushback and declined invitations from participants.

The incident underscores the political challenges faced by the Biden administration, particularly in battleground states with significant Muslim American populations. The administration’s response to the conflict continues to be scrutinized, with calls for stronger action to protect civilians and aid workers in Gaza.