A group representing Muslim Democratic voters has issued President Joe Biden an ultimatum to either demand a ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group or risk losing the support of Muslim voters in the 2024 election.
In an Oct. 30 letter they described as an “ultimatum,” the National Muslim Democratic Council (NMDC) called on President Biden to “take immediate action to secure a ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas by 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
“Your administration’s unconditional support, encompassing funding and armaments, has played a significant role in perpetuating the violence that is causing civilian casualties and has eroded trust in voters who previously put their faith in you,” the NMDC letter to President Biden states.
Should President Biden refuse their calls for a ceasefire, NMDC has threatened to mobilize voters against him and any other candidates that did not support demands for a ceasefire.
“We pledge to mobilize Muslim, Arab, and allied voters to withhold endorsement, support, or votes for any candidate who did not advocate for a ceasefire and endorse the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people,” the NMDC letter reads.
The NMDC touted supporters in various swing states like Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Israel Conflict Strains Biden’s Ties With Muslim Organizations
The NMDC is not the only Muslim organization to have expressed disappointment in the Biden administration’s handling of the ongoing Israel–Hamas conflict.Last week, the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) demanded the Biden administration apologize for comments he made about civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip during an Oct. 25 White House press conference. President Biden had cast doubt on the exact number of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip but said such civilian casualties were to be expected given the circumstances of the conflict.
“I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed. I’m sure innocents have been killed, and it’s the price of waging a war,” President Biden had said in his Oct. 25 remarks. “The Israelis should be incredibly careful to be sure that they’re focusing on going after the folks that are propagating this war against Israel. And it’s against their interest when that doesn’t happen. But I have no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using.”
Members of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), an American Muslim advocacy organization, have also said the Biden administration is not doing enough to recognize civilian deaths in Gaza.