What's happened
First Lady Jill Biden is pushing for an end to civilian deaths in Gaza, urging President Biden to cease the violence. The White House cancelled a Ramadan iftar meal after Muslim Americans declined the invitation in protest of Biden's support for Israel in the conflict with Hamas.
Why it matters
First Lady Jill Biden's advocacy for ending civilian casualties in Gaza highlights the growing pressure on President Biden to take action. The cancellation of the Ramadan iftar meal underscores the tensions within the Muslim American community over Biden's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
What the papers say
The New York Times reports that First Lady Jill Biden has been privately urging an end to civilian casualties in Gaza, while White House officials emphasize that both President Biden and the first lady are concerned about the situation. The Times of Israel provides a similar account, noting the first lady's strong stance on ending civilian deaths. Al Jazeera highlights the cancellation of the White House iftar meal due to Muslim Americans' protest against Biden's support for Israel.
How we got here
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has led to a humanitarian crisis, with innocent Palestinians facing threats of starvation and disease. President Biden's support for Israel has drawn criticism, especially from within the Muslim American community. The cancellation of the Ramadan iftar meal reflects the deep divisions and tensions surrounding the conflict.
Common question
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden is an American educator who served as second lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. She is married to Joe Biden, the 47th vice president of the United States, and the Democratic Party presidential nominee for the 2020 electio