Some Arab American leaders in Michigan expressed disappointment with the Biden administration’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict during meetings on Thursday. They sought a ceasefire and criticized US support for Israel’s actions.

After a two-hour meeting with administration officials, some leaders voiced frustration. Listen to Michigan spokesperson Abbas Alawieh criticized Biden for providing unconditional weapons funding to Israel, accusing him of contradicting his stance against bigotry.

This discontent has led to over 30 Michigan officials pledging to vote “uncommitted” in the state’s Democratic primary. Michigan, a crucial battleground, saw Biden narrowly win in 2020.

The Muslim American vote is significant, with over 146,000 of Michigan’s 200,000 Muslim-American voters participating in the 2020 election. Arab American leaders stress the importance of addressing their concerns, especially regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in over 28,000 deaths and 67,317 injuries since the October 7 Hamas attack. The situation in Gaza serves as a key factor in evaluating the administration’s response.

Attendees included trusted Biden advisers and Michigan leaders like Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and Wayne County deputy executive Assad Turfe. Turfe emphasized that future meetings hinge on tangible actions to address the Gaza crisis.

Hammoud reiterated the group’s unwavering demands for a permanent ceasefire and an end to US military support for Israel. The administration faces pressure to take decisive action to uphold justice and human rights principles.

The meeting underscores the growing urgency for the Biden administration to reassess its approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict in response to mounting criticism from Arab American leaders in Michigan.