A Palestinian-American doctor, Dr. Thaer Ahmad, made headlines as he walked out of a meeting with US President Joe Biden before it concluded on Tuesday evening. This incident highlighted the heightened tensions, anger, and concerns within Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim-American communities surrounding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Dr. Ahmad, an emergency physician from Chicago who had recently visited Gaza earlier this year, abruptly left the meeting attended by Vice President Kamala Harris, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and other administration officials, along with a small group of Muslim community leaders. The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
During his time in Gaza as part of a delegation of doctors from the NGO MedGlobal, Dr. Ahmad witnessed the devastating impact of the conflict, particularly in the city of Khan Younis where he worked at the Al Nasser hospital. He described the overwhelming numbers of displaced, injured, and dying individuals and expressed his opposition to an anticipated Israeli offensive in Rafah.
Dr. Ahmad conveyed his disappointment at being the sole Palestinian representative in the meeting and, out of respect for his community, decided to leave. Before departing, he handed President Biden a letter from an 8-year-old orphaned girl named Hadeel, who resides in Rafah.
The translated letter from Hadeel pleaded with President Biden to intervene and prevent Israel from entering Rafah, citing the US's stance that Israel should not proceed without a comprehensive plan to safeguard civilian lives.
This incident underscores the deep emotional impact and urgency felt by individuals directly affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict, as well as the broader Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim-American communities who are closely monitoring the situation and advocating for peace and justice.
