Muslim civil rights group says U.S., other nations ‘must stop excusing, ignoring or enabling Israel’s illegal actions’
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), or World Court, that Israel’s settlement policies and exploitation of natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end.
According to the court, “Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the regime associated with them, have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law.”
The court also ruled that Israel “systematically discriminates” against Palestinians and that its occupation is de facto annexation. It also ruled that Israel has abused its status as the occupying power in the West Bank and east Jerusalem by annexing territory, imposing permanent control and building settlements.
Its opinion said that Israel should pay reparations to Palestinians for damages caused by the occupation and that the UN security council, the General Assembly and all nations have an obligation not to recognize the occupation as legal and not to give aid or support to maintaining it.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“The International Court of Justice has confirmed what has been obvious to all for decades: the Israeli government has little respect for international law, and even less for the rights of the Palestinian people.
“We welcome the ICJ’s ruling and urge the Biden administration to take heed of the ruling to immediately use American leverage to force the Israeli government to end the occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.
“The United States – and all other nations – must stop excusing, ignoring or enabling Israel’s illegal actions and its attempts to impose a permanent state of apartheid on the Palestinian people.”
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@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