Muslims in US mount pressure on Biden for Gaza ceasefire

Muslims in the United States have increased pressure on President Joe Biden, threatening to cut off their support for him if there is no ceasefire in Gaza, where Israel has been bombing the civilian population for more than three weeks.

Muslim leaders and a number of Democratic Party activists warned Biden that they will begin campaigning to mobilize millions of Muslim voters to withhold donations and votes towards the Democratic president's 2024 reelection unless he takes immediate action for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The US National Muslim Democratic Council -- which includes Democratic Party leaders from hotly contested states whose voters’ ballots will likely decide the outcome of the 2024 presidential election in the United States, such as the states of Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania -- mounted pressure on Biden to push Israelis to put a ceasefire in place in Gaza by 5:00 pm local time (21:00 GMT) on Tuesday.

In an open letter titled "2023 Ceasefire Ultimatum," the Muslim leaders threatened to mobilize Muslim voters to "withhold endorsement, support, or votes for any candidate who endorses the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people."

"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 council wrote.

In the meantime, the Zionist regime continues its atrocious attacks against Gazans, which started early this month after the Hamas resistance movement launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupant Israeli forces.

At least 8,525 Palestinians, including more than 3,400 children, have been martyred since then, while another 21,048 Gazans have been wounded in the besieged territory.

Israelis cut fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there while firing artillery shells from sea and land and bombing the trapped population with its warplanes.

ME