Palestinian Americans snub Blinken briefing on Gaza as protesters camp outside residence

Several Palestinian Americans have refused to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for a briefing on Gaza, as community outrage over the Biden administration's ongoing support for Israel shows no signs of tempering, Middle East Eye can reveal.

In a statement sent to MEE by a group of Palestinian Americans who had turned down an off-the-record briefing with Blinken on Thursday, the group described the meeting as “political maneuvering” and an attempt at “damage control” by the Biden administration, as Israel continues to wreak havoc in Gaza with the full support of Washington.

At least five Palestinians snubbed the meeting held by Blinken, while at least two others have decided to go ahead with the meeting despite attempts to dissuade them, sources familiar with the matter told MEE.

“We do not know what more Secretary Blinken or President Biden need to hear or see to compel them to end their complicity in this genocide. They show us every day whose lives they value and whose lives they consider disposable," the group said.

MEE cannot independently verify how many Palestinian Americans were invited.