US Muslims have rejected the White House's iftar dinner invitation, protesting the government's continued support for Israel amid humanitarian concerns in Palestine, reports say.
“Many of the invitees, distressed over President (Joe) Biden’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza, said they would not attend an iftar meal with the president on Tuesday evening while so many Palestinians were under siege,” The New York Times newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The White House held a pared-down meal to break the Ramadan fast for staff only.
“How can we talk to you about famine and starvation over bread and steak?” Dr Thaer Ahmad, a Palestinian American doctor who was in Gaza in January, told the newspaper.
Some of those invited to attend the White House event on Tuesday flatly declined, according to sources familiar with the planning, who said the invitees did not feel comfortable celebrating with the president while many Palestinians are currently suffering starvation and malnutrition.