The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned what it called a “U.S.-backed massacre” of at least 22 Palestinian civilians in an Israeli airstrike on Rafah in Gaza that hit tents for displaced people. “Numerous” people were trapped in the rubble.
Horrific videos posted online show bodies burned to a crisp and a beheaded baby. WARNING: Graphic content.
Israel has slaughtered more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children. Some two million Palestinians have been forcibly displaced.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“This U.S.-backed massacre of civilians is a direct result of the Biden administration’s enduring political and military support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The Palestinian child shown without a head would still be alive today had our government not offered Israel’s far-right government unceasing support for the slaughter of Palestinian civilians and the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. Those who support genocide are just as guilty as those who drop American-supplied bombs on civilians.
“We ask President Biden, Secretaries Blinken and Austin, and members of Congress who continue to supply Israel with the weapons to continue the slaughter to show a shred of humanity and change course.”
On Friday, CAIR applauded a ruling by the UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague ordering Israel to halt its attacks on Rafah in Gaza.
Earlier this year, CAIR expressed its support for South Africa’s request to the ICJ to adopt emergency measures to protect Palestinian civilians after the Israeli attack on Rafah and its threats of depopulation and further attack on the city.
In December of last year, CAIR welcomed the launch of a case by South Africa in the United Nations’ top court accusing Israel of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
This week, CAIR welcomed the recognition of the state of Palestine by Norway, Ireland and Spain, and called on the Biden administration to stop blocking that nation’s full United Nations membership.
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.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR’s Email List
https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
Follow CAIR on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cair_national
Donate to CAIR
https://action.cair.com/a/donate
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
You are receiving this email due to your interest selection from commercial media databases. If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
END
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