Arab Americans Voice Dissatisfaction in Blinken Meeting

After meeting with Blinken, Arab and Palestinian Americans were left feeling disappointed and without promises to change policy.

TFD – Arab and Palestinian Americans expressed dissatisfaction with Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a Friday night meeting, questioning the Biden administration’s plans to address their concerns amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Participants told that Arab and Palestinian Americans were dissatisfied with the Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Friday night meeting because they were unsure of how the Biden administration would address their concerns as the Israel-Hamas conflict decimates Gaza’s civilian population.

The conversation “was disappointing because we wanted more concrete next steps,” said Bilal Hammoud, executive director of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, “because there wasn’t a plan that was shared that instilled any confidence that the administration is prioritizing an immediate solution.

White House officials have held several meetings with prominent Arab Americans across the country since Hamas’ October 7 attacks, but some of the invited participants have declined to attend, often making their rejection known in open letters and press interviews. The emotional and heated meeting comes at a time when the Palestinian and Arab American community is divided over engagement with the White House, as members harbor sadness and anger over the administration’s policy toward the Israel-Hamas war.

While his administration largely refuses to use its leverage over Israel to halt the fighting in Gaza, many members of the community agree that Biden would have to make significant policy changes to win back this important part of his political coalition before the November elections. This includes Arab and Muslim Americans as well as progressive voters.

The groups entered the administration on Friday bearing specific demands, which included demanding an immediate end to hostilities, the release of all prisoners and hostages detained without charge, the total withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population, the cessation of US arms sales to Israel, and the reconstruction of Palestinian communities that had been devastated.

However, after more than ninety minutes of discussion, none of the guests had promised to follow through on any of those fronts.

As one participant put it, “I think the meeting was a failure; we were not able to agree on any change in US policy towards the situation in Gaza.”

Following the meeting, US Palestinian Council President John Dabeet expressed his feeling of caution and optimism. However, he claimed that it was impossible to foresee the administration’s next move.

“We are not ignorant. We did not go there thinking we can turn the ship completely in the opposite way, but any change we can create will be seen as a positive thing to help the people in Gaza to lower their suffering,” Dabeet said. More than 35,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the region’s health ministry.

The heads of five national organizations—the US Palestinian Council, the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, Arab America, the Arab American Institute, and the American Federation of Ramallah Palestine—were present at the meeting, which was called by Arab and Palestinian American leaders.

When asked about the absence of commitments made during the meeting, the State Department failed to offer a readout of the proceedings or to reply.

This month, the Biden administration put a stop to the delivery of bombs to Israel due to worries that they would be used in an invasion of Rafah, the refuge for over a million civilians. However, those present at the meeting did not think such action amounted to a big enough shift in policy that could compel an end to the conflict.

They were already angry about the “callous neglect” they claim the Biden administration has shown the Arab American community when they entered the conference. However, they also went into the conference with the idea that in order to influence policy change, participation is essential.

“I firmly think that participation matters. Being around the table is important because at least our voice will be heard this way,” Dabeet said.

But for the attendees with whom we spoke, returning to the table with Biden administration officials would come only after significant policy changes.

“I would not attend another meeting until there is action,” Hammoud said. “At this point, there is nothing left to be said. I think the administration knows fully what needs to happen.”

“I believe the government is well positioned to implement meaningful change. and I haven’t noticed any genuine policy changes. So that is why I think they’re checking the boxes at this moment,” said Ghada Elnajjar, a Palestinian American who has lost more than 80 members of her extended family to the Israel-Hamas war, which she calls “Israel’s ongoing genocide.”

Elnajjar continued, saying that as November’s election draws near, maybe the messages may finally be understood. She declared, “They are endangering the elections.”

Elnajjar was a member of Arab Americans for Biden, which assisted in planning the 2020 Biden campaign. The organization is now known as Arab Americans Forward and has dropped Biden’s name. Elnajjar stated that she is unsure of her plans for her presidential ballot in November.

Attendees at the meeting with Blinken made the point that it is not just Arab Americans who Biden is losing, but also allies from other ethnic backgrounds who are standing in solidarity with Arab, Palestinian and Muslim Americans.

One meeting participant stated, “This was a last-ditch effort with this administration so they can’t say they didn’t hear from us or our demands.”