(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/30/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today urged Congress and the Biden Administration to immediately halt plans to send a proposed $14 billion in unrestricted financial and military aid to Israel in response to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported pledge to block the creation of a Palestinian state after finishing the mass bombing of Gaza.
CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, strongly condemned Netanyahu’s recent statements and actions, including his private rejection of the an independent Palestinian state and his intentions to escalate military operations in Gaza, funded by U.S. taxpayer money.
Reports indicate that in the past week, Netanyahu privately informed Israeli lawmakers that: “I am the only one who will prevent a Palestinian state in Gaza and [the West Bank] after the war,” directly conflicting with the Biden administration’s policy, which aims to rekindle discussions around a two-state solution.
The Biden administration has requested $14 billion in military aid for Israel following its military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of 15,000 Palestinian civilians, including over 6,000 innocent children. While already approved by the House, Democrats in the U.S. Senate are divided on whether to attach humanitarian conditions to military aid for Israel, departing from past practices of unconditional approval. Congress has 9 more days to adopt such an aid package before the winter congressional recess.
Currently, a humanitarian pause exists in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, allowing for ongoing hostage exchanges. However, this pause is scheduled to conclude today, although there is a chance that negotiators could extend it by several days. Israel has announced its intentions to resume its bombing campaign, potentially extending operations to southern Gaza.
In a statement, CAIR’s Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw said:
“As a nation, we cannot continue to fund the far-right Israeli government’s genocidal operations in Gaza while paying lip service to the idea of a two-state solution that Benjamin Netanyahu rejects. Doing so makes us look like fools while Netanyahu laughs his way to the bank with U.S. taxpayer dollars.
“We urge a principled approach aligned with U.S. interests and values, and that starts with supporting an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
“President Biden and Congress can no longer ignore the Israeli government’s clear opposition to an independent Palestinian state or its threats to resume its genocidal campaign in Gaza. Congress and the Biden Administration must stand against Netanyahu’s obstructionism and refuse to send more money to his extremist government.”
The organization urged the Biden Administration to leverage its influence to compel Israel to agree to an indefinite ceasefire and resume negotiations to address all outstanding issues and secure a just, lasting peace by ending the occupation.
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