Muslim Democrats give Biden ultimatum: Israel ceasefire by 5 or battleground states turn 'red'

The National Muslim Democratic Council, a nationwide group of Democratic leaders and activists, threatened President Joe Biden that if he does not force Israel to reach a ceasefire with Hamas, a U.S. State Department-designated foreign terrorist organization, by 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, they will work to mobilize against him in the 2024 presidential election.

"It has become evident that our voices are being ignored, but our votes will not be. Simply put, as Gaza turns red, so could crucial battleground states," the council said in a letter Monday to the White House and Democratic Party.

"Your administration's unconditional support, encompassing funding and armaments, has played a significant role in perpetuating the violence that is causing civilian casualties and has eroded trust in voters who previously put their faith in you," the group also wrote.

"We will mobilize increased voter turnout to make our voices heard," the council also wrote. It added that Michigan, a swing state with a large Muslim population that went for former President Donald Trump in 2016, went for Biden by 2.6% in 2020. 

"We emphasize the significance of Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Florida, Arizona,

Nevada, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, where many of our voters reside," the group also said.

More than 4.4 million Muslims live in the U.S., making up 1.3% of the population, according to the 2020 U.S. Religion Census conducted by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies.

The council's letter only refers to Israel one time, stating: "We pledge to mobilize Muslim, Arab, and allied voters to withhold endorsement, support, or votes for any candidate who did not advocate for a ceasefire and endorse the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian people."

The letter does not mention Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, nor how the latest battle began when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people, including at least 31 U.S. citizens, and taking more than 200 people hostage.

It is highly unlikely a ceasefire will occur any time soon. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "Calls for a ceasefire are calls for Israel to surrender to Hamas, to surrender to terrorism, to surrender to barbarism. That will not happen."

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