Israel’s US embassy hosts interfaith Ramadan iftar dinner
Representatives from Gulf states glaringly absent amid ongoing war; Muslim leaders at event denounce Hamas and other extremist groups
Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter hosted an interfaith iftar dinner Monday night at Israel’s embassy in Washington.
Some 70 Muslims, Christians and Jews joined Leiter for the meal to break the Ramadan fast.
Israel’s ambassadors in DC have a longstanding tradition of hosting representatives of Washington’s Muslim community and other local leaders for an iftar dinner during the Islamic holy month.
This year’s iftar dinner included a joint prayer, breaking the fast with dates and sweet drinks, a festive meal and greetings from distinguished guests.
US President Donald Trump’s Middle East adviser Massad Boulos and Arizona Congressman Abraham Hamadeh joined, as did the Azerbaijani and Uzbekistani ambassadors, officials from the Defense and State departments and several Muslim clerics.
Notably, there did not appear to be representatives from any Abraham Accords countries, as Israel’s public ties with its Arab neighbors have cooled amid the ongoing Gaza war.
In March 2023, before the war, the embassies of Israel, Bahrain and Azerbaijan in Washington co-hosted an iftar meal at the Watergate Hotel, which was also attended by the UAE ambassador to the US, Yousef al-Otaiba.
With the war still ongoing a year later in 2024, the embassy sponsored — but did not host — an iftar dinner. Held at a Maryland synagogue just outside the capital, the event boasted 150 Jewish attendees, but only around a dozen Muslims.
After the event, one of the few Muslim leaders in attendance publicly announced his regret at having gone and claimed he was unaware the Israeli embassy was a sponsor, The Forward reported at the time.
This year, Muslim leaders gathered at the embassy stressed the importance of peace among the children of Abraham and denounced Hamas, Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood.
“When we sit together — Jews, Muslims, Christians and people of all faiths — we embody the hope that despite the difficulties, peace is not only possible but necessary,” said Leiter.
Attendees also offered a joint prayer for the speedy return of hostages held by Hamas, said the embassy.