(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/25/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned “shocking and dehumanizing” remarks made by President Joe Biden on Palestinian civilian casualties during a press conference.
CAIR also called on the President to both apologize and condemn the Israeli government’s ongoing targeting of civilians.
At the White House today, President Biden commented on the civilian casualties of the Israeli government’s assault on Gaza, saying “I’m sure innocents have been killed and it is the price of waging war.” “I have no confidence in the number [of civilian casualties] that the Palestinians are using,” he continued.
SEE: Biden doesn’t have confidence in the Gaza death toll
In a statement, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“We are deeply disturbed and shocked by the dehumanizing comments that President Biden made about the almost 7,000 Palestinians slaughtered by the Israeli government over the past two weeks.
“The Israeli government has openly admitted that it is targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. Journalists have confirmed the high number of casualties, and countless videos coming out of Gaza every day show mangled bodies of Palestinian women and children – and entire city blocks leveled to the ground. President Biden should watch some of these videos and ask himself if the crushed children being dragged out of the ruins of their family homes are a fabrication or an acceptable price of war. They are neither.
“President Biden should apologize for his comments, condemn the Israeli government for deliberately targeting civilians, and demand a ceasefire before more innocent people die.”
He noted that today, CAIR reported that it has received 774 complaints, including reported bias incidents, since the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine on Oct. 7. Washington, D.C., based CAIR says this spike in incidents is driven at least in part by irresponsible rhetoric from government officials.
SEE: CAIR Reports Sharp Increase in Complaints, Reported Bias Incidents Since 10/7
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com