In a meeting at the White House on Wednesday, a small group of Muslim advocates met with President Biden to discuss the ongoing crisis in Gaza. However, the meeting highlighted the growing frustration within the Arab-American and Muslim community regarding the U.S. approach towards the conflict.

One of the attendees, Dr. Thaer Ahmad, an emergency medicine physician who recently returned from Gaza, walked out of the meeting early as a sign of solidarity with fellow Palestinians and to emphasize the need for more action from the White House to end the war and provide humanitarian aid to the region.

Dr. Ahmad had firsthand experience treating patients in Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis before it was rendered inoperable due to the fighting. He wanted to share the dire situation he witnessed with President Biden and speak against potential Israeli military action in Rafah, highlighting the overcrowding and lack of aid in the area.

During the meeting, Dr. Ahmad handed President Biden a letter written by an 8-year-old orphaned Palestinian girl pleading for him to prevent Israeli troops from entering the city. Dr. Ahmad expressed his frustration, stating that the actions taken by the White House thus far have not been sufficient.

Another attendee, Dr. Nahreen Ahmed, the medical director of aid group MedGlobal, felt that President Biden was dismissive when she presented photos of the suffering she had witnessed in Gaza. Dr. Ahmed criticized the President's response, emphasizing that as the leader of the United States, he should not be dismissive of the pain and frustration expressed by the community.

Dr. Ahmed described the meeting as an attempt by the White House to manage the community's concerns, rather than an empathetic discussion of their grievances. She felt that the President did not truly listen to the Muslim and Palestinian perspectives presented during the meeting.

The White House declined to comment on the specific discussions held during the private meeting. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that President Biden respects the right to peaceful protest and acknowledged the difficult time for the community.

This meeting came after the White House scaled back plans to invite Muslim leaders to an iftar dinner to mark Ramadan. Some individuals expressed discomfort with the original plans due to concerns regarding U.S. policies enabling the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

While President Biden did host a small group of Muslim officials who work in his administration for an iftar, there remains a sense among Muslim advocates and Palestinians that the White House is not genuinely listening to their perspectives and taking responsibility for the consequences of its policies.

Biden's support for Israel's war in Gaza has been met with protests across the country, including during a recent star-studded fundraiser in New York City. Democratic voters in several states have voiced their disapproval by organizing protest votes during primary elections.

The White House has urged Israel to do more to prevent civilian casualties and has expressed opposition to a major ground operation in Rafah. John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, reiterated the U.S. concerns over civilian deaths, destruction of infrastructure, and the obstacles hindering the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

The meeting serves as another reminder of the deep frustration and growing calls within the Arab-American and Muslim community for the U.S. government to take stronger actions to end the conflict and alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.