Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Biden's iftar downsized amid Arab-Muslim anger over Gaza

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen English
  • 3 Apr 2024 09:34
  • 7 Shares
3 Min Read

Following clear anger and withdrawal from Biden's iftar event by the Arab and Muslim communities in the US, Biden turned his iftar into a meeting to discuss Gaza.

  • x
  • President Joe Biden speaks at an event in Raleigh, N.C., on March. 26, 2024.(AP)
    President Joe Biden speaks at an event in Raleigh, North Carolina, on March 26, 2024. (AP)

As US President Joe Biden attempted to host an iftar dinner for Ramadan in the White House on April 2, several Muslim and Arab leaders' invitees withdrew from the event. 

One of the attendees, Dr. Thaer Ahmad, who has recently returned to the US from Gaza, told Biden that he cannot attend this event while people in Gaza are being killed, as reported by media. 

Media sources also revealed that Dr. Ahmad handed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the US Vice-President, a message from a displaced Palestinian child, still in Rafah, orphaned due to the IOF killing his parents. 

They added that many of the invitees did not feel comfortable celebrating such an event with Biden while Palestinians were grappling with war and famine. 

This withdrawal, a sign of "clear anger", prevented Biden from achieving his goal of a "small and calm" iftar after many prominent figures from the Arab and Muslim communities in the US rejected his invitation in protest. 

Iftar invitation turned into meeting 

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on April 2 that Biden will not organize a public reception for Ramadan this year, unlike what he did in 2022 and 2023.

Instead, she said, "President Biden will host a meeting with Muslim community leaders to discuss issues of importance to the community."

Related News

Pro-'Israel' Democrats breaking with Netanyahu amid Gaza war

Cholera devastates Darfur region amid conflict, US aid cuts

She added that this was based on a request from the Muslim community, which the White House understands. 

Before iftar time, Biden invited many attendees to an extended meeting at the White House to further discuss the Israeli war on Gaza, claiming that he will do "everything in his power to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza."

The White House affirmed to the attendees that its position is clear and it rejects the Israeli Rafah invasion plan that does not take into consideration the situation of the displaced Palestinians.

Leading figures of prominent Islamic non-governmental organizations in the United States also protested against the Ramadan iftar dinner organized by Biden by organizing an alternative iftar for a ceasefire in Gaza in front of the White House headquarters in Washington.

Democrat says Arab community opposes Biden policy with 'Israel' 

US President Joe Biden has made a “strategic mistake” by “bear-hugging” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the current war on Gaza, Biden campaign surrogate Ro Khanna said on March 14. 

"The bear-hugging of Netanyahu has been a strategic mistake," Khanna added.

Elsewhere in his remarks, he criticized the Israeli President for conducting "a callous war" in Gaza, despite his claims of opposition from the United States.

However, his criticisms of Biden's errors might not be well-received at the White House.

Khanna suggested that Biden should establish "clear consequences for Netanyahu" if "Israel" does not alter its course.

"And that means if [Netanyahu] defies the United States, not allowing aid, or going into Rafah” – which Biden has emphasized that such an outcome must be avoided, while Netanyahu has indicated that it will occur – “[then] no more weapons transfers … unconditionally."

"It means not protecting [Netanyahu] from the entire international community at the United Nations, it means recognizing a Palestinian state. And those are the things I think some of the Arab American community want," he explicitly said.

  • United States
  • war on Gaza
  • Palestine
  • Ramadan
  • Iftar
  • Israeli occupation
  • Gaza
  • Joe Biden
  • white house
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS