Open letter to President Biden:

Dear Mr. Biden:
We have recently learned that you are planning to visit Dearborn. The Arab and Muslim American community that overwhelmingly voted for you would normally have been happy with your visit. But these are not normal times.

Dearborn, as you know, is the home of the largest concentration of Arab and Muslim Americans. To the Arab and Muslim American communities, as well as fellow peace-loving Americans, your visit is an occasion for you to hear loud and clear the call for justice for the occupied Palestinians.

We urge you to act swiftly, fairly and justly to end the human suffering that the Israeli war on Gaza is imposing on its population. The fact that Israel bombed the media’s building is evidence that Israel is hitting civilian targets. The goal of the Israeli war is to harm the population and terrorize it. This is an illegal and immoral war.

Mr. Biden- you have been in public office for decades. You were a vice president for eight years. You are knowledgeable about international relations. You know about Israel and the occupation. You know the truth. You know what needs to be done to resolve this conflict. You know that lasting peace is possible if the solution is based on international law and UN resolutions. What is needed is political courage and the ability to stand up for what is right in the face of a powerful lobby.

Mr. President, war is a human- made disaster. It takes place when the political process fails. We believe that peace is possible when people of good faith take charge. All peace-loving people around the world look up to you for leadership.

We welcome you to Dearborn. And we want you to hear our voices loud and clear:

Palestinian lives matter. Peace now. Justice today.

Imad Hamad, AHEC Executive Director