The Maryland office of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed an announcement by Senator Chris Van Hollen that he will not attend Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to Congress because he “doesn’t want to be a political prop.”
In a statement, CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“Senator Van Hollen’s decision to boycott the congressional address of a war criminal orchestrating a brutal genocide funded by our tax dollars is a testament to his principled and unwavering commitment to justice, human rights, and moral integrity. His courageous stand sends a clear message that accountability and righteousness must never be compromised, even in the face of powerful opposition.”
She said CAIR is urging all members of congress to follow Senator Van Hollen’s example and also pledge to boycott the event.
Earlier today, CAIR today called on Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) not to preside over the scheduled address to Congress by “war criminal” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to his far-right government’s genocide in Gaza.
Israel has already slaughtered almost 40,000 people, mostly women and children in Gaza, and destroyed much of the civilian infrastructure in a campaign of ethnic cleansing, forced starvation and genocide.
Netanyahu has traveled to Washington, D.C. to address the United States Congress following the International Court of Justice’s recent determination that Israel’s settlement policies and exploitation of natural resources in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end. CAIR welcomed that ruling by the World Court.
CAIR Welcomes ICJ Ruling That Israel’s Occupation of Palestinian Land is Unlawful, Must End
Top UN court says Israel’s presence in occupied Palestinian territories is illegal and should end
She noted that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant within weeks.
Last week, CAIR condemned a threat by House Speaker Mike Johnson to arrest lawmakers who protest far-right Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress next week.
CAIR issued and action alert for Americans to call on members of Congress to boycott or protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress on July 24th due to his openly racist views, genocidal war crimes, disrespect for the United States, and opposition to a Palestinian state.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; 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