Muslim And Arab Groups In The US Threaten To Hold Donations And Voices For President Biden If There Is No Ceasefire

President Joe Biden took the stairs down the Air Force One presidential plane. (Wikimedia Commons/The White House)

JAKARTA - Several Muslim and Arab groups in the United States are threatening to withhold their donations and votes for incumbent Joe Biden in the 2024 Presidential Election, unless he immediately takes steps to ensure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

The National Muslim Democratic Council, which consists of Democratic Party leaders in states that have close and decisive elections in the election, such as Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, is urging President Biden to use his influence to broker a ceasefire at 17.00 local time.

In an open letter titled "2023 Ceasefire Ultimatum," the Muslim leaders pledged to mobilize "Muslim voters, Arabs, and their allies" to "withhold support until the vote for any candidate who supports Israel's attacks on the Palestinian people."

"Your government's unconditional support, which includes funding and weapons, has played a significant role in perpetuating violence that has caused civilian casualties and has eroded the confidence of voters, who previously placed their trust in you," wrote the group, reported by Reuters, November 1.

Meanwhile, Emgage, an American Muslim civic group, said nearly 1.1 million Muslims voted in the 2020 election.

An Associated Press poll showed 64 percent of Muslims voted for Biden, a Democrat. Meanwhile, 35 percent chose his Republican rival, Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, the Arab American Institute estimates 3.7 million Americans "trace their roots" to Arab countries; Poll results released on Tuesday show support for President Biden and the Democratic Party in this group has declined significantly.

Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Minnesota, said she has no choice but to vote against Biden in 2024 unless he works to end the conflict. He said he was speaking as an individual, not on behalf of CAIR, which is prohibited from conducting political campaigns.

It is known that the White House has made great efforts to address concerns raised by members of the public and political officials in the government. A White House official said President Biden met with a handful of Muslim leaders last Thursday.

Separately, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the poll, but told reporters President Biden was aware Muslim Americans and those perceived to be Muslims have "experienced hate-fueled attacks in disproportionate numbers" and respected their perspective.

He said President Biden's administration has interacted with members of the Arab and Muslim communities, along with Jewish leaders, as well as political appointees within the administration on their issues, and will continue those efforts.

President Biden himself has spoken out against rising antisemitism and Islamophobia, but Muslim leaders say the war must end.