The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest American Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today delivered a letter to National Association of Independent Schools President Debra P. Wilson saying the organization’s actions during and in the wake of its People of Color Conference reveal an apparent “appalling” level of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism among the group’s leaders.
SEE: CAIR letter to National Association of Independent Schools
During the December conference, two speakers referred to Israel’s recent actions in Gaza as a genocide. According to reports reviewed by CAIR, the next day Caroline Blackwell opened a session by apologizing for the keynote speaker’s use of the term. According to those same reports and in contrast to NAIS leadership, conference participants received the keynote speaker’s presentation with a standing ovation.
In a letter to NAIS, CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor writes that the speaker’s use of the term genocide reflects substantial international expert opinion that was all available to NAIS leadership:
On June 4, 2024 “a consortium of human rights centers at colleges across the world” using an “objective, methodological, and detailed analysis” concluded, “Israel has committed genocidal acts, namely killing, seriously harming, and inflicting conditions of life calculated, and intended to, bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza,” according to one of the report’s contributors. On October 11, 2024, independent human rights experts with the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner issued a statement naming “Israel’s genocidal offensive in Gaza.” On November 21, 2024 the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu saying he is “Allegedly responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts.” On December 4, the day prior to the key note speech, Amnesty International announced their conclusion that Israel is committing Genocide in Gaza. This reputable international human rights organization’s announcement was covered by the Associated Press, so easily available to anyone doing an internet search.
“NAIS leadership saw their guests give a standing ovation to a speaker who said Israel is committing a genocide–a conclusion backed by a large body of international experts–and thought–no, that’s hateful,” said CAIR Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor. “NAIS leadership is out of touch with the organization’s values, conference guests, and subject matter experts. Sadly, that leaves Islamophobia as a viable conclusion for their actions.”
Saylor added: “I hope they will meet with us, adopt our recommendations, and prove us wrong. They can start by formally apologizing for calling their speakers and guests opinions on genocide divisive and hurtful.”
CAIR has previously reported that an unprecedented wave of Islamophobia has swept the United States over the last few months.
SEE: New CAIR Data Shows Anti-Muslim, Anti-Palestinian Hate Remain Elevated in First Half of 2024
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 Research and Advocacy Director Corey Saylor, 202-384-8857, csaylor@cair.com; CAIR Research and Advocacy Manager Farah Afify, (202) 742-6410, fafify@cair.com; 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