“Biden Apologizes to Muslim-American Leaders for Controversy Over Hamas Death Toll: Report
Today, President Biden issued a public apology to Muslim American community leaders for questioning the death toll totals reported by Hamas in last week’s violence in the Middle East.
Last week, Israeli and Palestinian leaders faced off in a bloody conflict that was sparked by a report of Palestinian civilian deaths from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) project that was published in Israel. Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, claimed that hundreds of its fighters were killed in the fighting and that only around a dozen Palestinian civilians were killed in Israeli airstrikes.
President Biden, in a statement released Wednesday, argued that questioning the death toll report published by Hamas would only “means turning away from a chance to seek peace.”
“I apologize for the moment of understandable confusion which occurred as a result of the ACLED report, and I am sorry for any confusion or pain that my remarks may have caused,” Biden said in his apology. “I am not questioning the accuracy of the reports, nor do I doubt the profound loss that has occurred among the families in the region.”
Biden went on to explain that he was only questioning the reports in order to avoid a “rush to judgment” which could lead to further violence. He also encouraged greater understanding and sympathy between leaders in both regions and expressed his commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Muslim American leaders thanked President Biden for his apology and appreciated his commitment to peace-building. They noted that recognizing and apologizing for the confusion his remarks caused demonstrated respect for the Muslim community and an understanding of the pain of innocent victims of the conflict.
This apology underscores the White House’s commitment to listening to and respecting the needs of minority communities. It is a positive step towards building trust between the US government and Muslim Americans. As we continue searching for a path towards peace in the Middle East, it is essential that all sides come together to put the needs of innocent families first.