US President Joe Biden utilized his message to Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha to advocate for adopting a US-supported ceasefire agreement in Gaza. On Sunday, he stated that this agreement represents the best means to help civilians suffering from the “horrors of war between Hamas and Israel.”
In a statement relayed by Agence France-Presse, Biden said, “Too many innocent people have been killed, including thousands of children. Families have fled their homes and witnessed their communities destroyed. They are enduring immense pain.” He added, “I strongly believe that the three-phase ceasefire proposal presented by Israel to Hamas and approved by the United Nations Security Council is the best way to end the violence in Gaza and thus end the war.”
The United States is pressuring both Israel and Hamas to officially accept the ceasefire agreement that received a green light from Security Council members last week, which could allow for an initial cessation of fighting for six weeks.
Eid al-Adha witnessed a rare day of relative calm in the Gaza Strip after Israel announced a “tactical halt” to fighting near Rafah to facilitate the delivery of aid.
President Biden also highlighted American efforts to “defend the rights of other Islamic communities” facing persecution, including the Rohingya in Myanmar and the Uyghurs in China. He stated, “We are also working towards a peaceful resolution of the horrific conflict in Sudan,” which has been experiencing a war between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023.
On the domestic front, Biden pledged in his Sunday message to combat Islamophobia, in a direct appeal to American Muslims, particularly as they currently hold significant influence in Biden’s bid for re-election against his Republican rival, Donald Trump. Biden said, “My administration is working on developing a national strategy to counter Islamophobia and related biases and discrimination, which do not only affect Muslims but also Arab Americans, Sikhs, and South Asians.”
