WASHINGTON: Senior US officials will visit the Michigan state on Thursday to meet with Arab-American and Muslim leaders critical of President Joe Biden approach for a permanent ceasefire in Israel’s attacks on Gaza Strip.
US Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power, Steve Benjamin, White House public engagement director; and his deputy, Jamie Citron, are the officials included, said a White House official.
Other senior officials will also hold meetings with the Muslim community on the matter.
The development comes after Muslim community leaders in Michigan refused to meet with Biden campaign officials, saying they would only discuss ending Israel’s attacks on Gaza and getting aid to Palestinians with policymakers.
Over 30 elected officials across Michigan on Tuesday, said they would vote uncommitted in Michigan’s Democratic primary on February 27 to protest Biden’s policy to the war in Gaza.
According to the administration officials the meetings are part of their engagement with Muslim community leaders and elected officials since the war between Israel and Hamas started on October 7.
Ahmad Chebbani, founder and chairman of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, said community leaders are skeptical. He said that they should have talked to them months ago.
Gaza’s health ministry says at least 27,585 Palestinians have been killed in the besieged enclave, with thousands more feared buried under rubble.
