Blinken to confer with Arab and Palestinian Americans amid increasing frictions with the Biden government.
For nearly a month, organizers have been arranging a meeting to persuade the Biden government to implement various measures regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to a source.
The meeting occurs as friction between the Biden administration and Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab American communities has escalated. It also coincides with the administration's struggles in reaching out to Arab American voters, who have generally opposed such gatherings and refrained from making a commitment in the presidential primaries.
Recently, protests supporting Palestine and advocating for an end to US backing for Israel's military have sprung up on university campuses across the nation. College students have been heard chanting, "Biden, Biden, you can't hide, we charge you with genocide."
Although Biden halts one shipment of bombs to Israel and promises to withhold some others if Israel initiates a massive assault on the southern Gazan city of Rafah, the administration maintains that it will continue providing military assistance to Israel's security.
The State Department has thus far not responded to a request for comment on the meeting.
The growing opposition from some Muslim, Arab American, and progressive voters over the Gaza war poses a significant issue for President Biden's re-election campaign as the November elections approach. Additionally, the previous interactions between Biden administration officials and members of these communities have failed to foster a more cooperative relationship.
Blinken has met with representatives of these communities on several occasions since October 7. His meeting with Palestinian Americans in February featured several invitees who ultimately decided not to attend, since they believed they could not alter the administration's policy.
In May, Biden hosted several Muslim leaders at the White House to discuss the situation in Gaza. However, the event quickly devolved after its sole Palestinian American attendee – Dr. Thaer Ahmad, who had visited Gaza to treat wounded civilians – walked out in protest and handed the president a letter from an 8-year-old orphan residing in Rafah.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
