Some Palestinian Americans Decline Invitation to Meet Blinken, Reports Reuters

By Kanishka Singh and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON – Several members of the Palestinian American community chose not to attend a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressing their dissatisfaction with the U.S. government’s approach to the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

In a joint statement, the group described the meeting as "insulting and performative," asserting that their sentiments reflected the views of the majority of those invited.

Protests against U.S. policies regarding the Gaza conflict have emerged from Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim communities across the nation, along with anti-war activists. The situation in Gaza has been dire, with reports indicating about 27,000 fatalities due to Israel’s military actions following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in Israel, according to their figures. The offensive has devastated much of Gaza, displacing a large portion of its 2.3 million residents, while many remain trapped under the rubble.

The Palestinian American group criticized the U.S. administration, feeling that officials like Blinken and President Joe Biden are prioritizing some lives over others. They stated that joining the discussion would only serve as a "box-ticking exercise" and reiterated their view that the U.S. is complicit in the events occurring in Gaza.

With the humanitarian situation worsening, Gaza is nearing starvation, prompting the United Nations to advocate for a humanitarian ceasefire, which the U.S. has opposed, claiming it would allow Hamas to gain strength.

A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed that Blinken engaged with various leaders from the Palestinian American community but did not clarify the number of attendees.

In reaction to the violence in Gaza, protests advocating for a ceasefire have erupted across the United States. Demonstrators have gathered near airports and bridges in cities like New York and Los Angeles, organized vigils outside the White House, and marched in the nation’s capital. There have also been protests during Biden’s speeches and campaign events, including a demonstration in Michigan on Thursday.