In an effort to show his commitment to repairing relationships with the powerful Muslim American community, US President Joe Biden has extended an apology to Muslim American leaders in response to questioning a news report of the death toll caused by Israeli airstrikes on Hamas forces in Gaza.
The President expressed his remorse over the remark in a phone call to three leading Muslim American organizations. During the call, Biden noted that “this incident has caused immense amount of confusion.” He added that “it was not his intention to question the accuracy of the reported death toll.”
The news report about the death toll has, however, been backed by both Israeli and Palestinian officials, who have largely been in agreement on the death toll figure. This, combined with the outspoken Muslim American community’s outrage at the President’s statements, prompted Biden to take action to rectify the situation.
By issuing an apology and emphasizing his commitment to working with the Muslim American community, Biden is seeking to repair relationships with the influential voting bloc ahead of the 2022 midterm election.
The three Muslim American organizations that the President contacted, the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), Shiite Rights Watch and Emerge USA, all responded favorably to the President’s apology. Each organization noted their appreciation for Biden’s willingness to address the issue and gesture of inclusivity.
This apology from the President marks a historic step in the right direction for creating positive relationships between the federal government and the Muslim American community. While there still remains considerable work to be done, Biden’s attempt to heal the rift between himself and Muslim American leaders is distinctly positive.
It is clear that President Biden is willing to take the necessary steps to ensure that Muslims in America are respected and welcomed in the political discourse. Moving forward, he can gain even more support from the Muslim American community if he continues to take steps to make sure their voices are heard and their demands met.