Palestinian American Doctor Walks Out of Meeting with Biden Over Gaza Crisis

On Tuesday, Dr. Thaer Ahmad, an emergency physician from Chicago and a Palestinian American, left a meeting with President Biden and other Arab and Muslim leaders and activists, citing respect for his community as the reason for his departure.

A Direct Account of the Situation in Gaza

Dr. Ahmad, who had traveled to Gaza earlier this year, informed President Biden that it was the first time the president had heard directly from individuals who had been on the ground in Gaza since October 7. He detailed his experiences in Khan Younis and Rafah, emphasizing the impossibility of a safe Israeli invasion of the southern Gaza city, which over one million Palestinians have fled since the war began.

A Symbolic Gesture

Before leaving, Dr. Ahmad presented President Biden with a letter from an 8-year-old orphan in Rafah, imploring the president not to permit an invasion.

An Appeal for Urgency

Expressing a sense of urgency and panic about the situation in Gaza, Dr. Ahmad stated that President Biden is in a position to make a difference and put a stop to the impending Rafah invasion. He expressed disappointment that he and others feel the president is not doing enough to prevent Israel from carrying out the invasion.

Dr. Ahmad claimed that members of U.N. Security Council states felt that if the White House established Rafah as a red line, the war would cease immediately.

White House's Stance on the Situation

The White House has previously stated that President Biden has been urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reconsider plans for a Rafah invasion and to take greater measures to protect civilians. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized that while Hamas should not have a safe haven in Rafah or elsewhere, a major ground operation there would have detrimental consequences, including more civilian casualties, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, and further isolating Israel internationally.

Comfort in Collective Representation

Dr. Ahmad expressed comfort in leaving the meeting, confident that the other attendees would effectively convey to President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris the dire situation in Gaza.

An Act of Individual and Collective Advocacy

Dr. Ahmad clarified that his decision to walk out of the meeting stemmed from the need to express the hurt and pain felt by the Palestinian American community, despite not speaking on their behalf. He emphasized the absence of other Palestinian Americans in the room and the significance of communicating their collective distress.

Plans to Return to Gaza

Despite the substantial risks involved, Dr. Ahmad disclosed his intention to return to Gaza. He recounted witnessing the Israeli military raid a hospital in Gaza during his previous visit, highlighting the profound pressure and pain endured by the people in the Gaza Strip, including healthcare and aid workers.

Advocating for the People of Gaza

Dr. Ahmad has been vocal about the plight of innocent individuals and families in Gaza, emphasizing their displacement, loss, and vulnerability in the face of a potential Israeli invasion. He underscored the urgent need for solidarity and support for the people of Gaza, who have been largely abandoned by the international community.

Dispelling Misconceptions

Addressing misconceptions, Dr. Ahmad refuted any indication of Hamas operating in hospitals, emphasizing the suffering and trauma experienced by innocent individuals, particularly children, as a result of the ongoing conflict.