The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with the activists and aid workers from the Gaza aid flotilla who are still held hostage by Israel, including many people of color, and called for nations around the world to demand their immediate release.
Six participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla – Spanish national Reyes Rigo Cervilla, Norwegian nationals Samuel Rostol, Christoforos Schuff O’Moore, and Eline Froysa Norli, and Moroccan nationals Aziz Rhali and Abdeladim Bendraoui – are still being held captive by the Israeli government. Nigerian Muslim and Omar Almokhtar Flotilla participant Okey Vitalis Nnorom is also being held by the Israeli government. 145 participants of Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza are also still in detention.
In a statement, CAIR Deputy Executive Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:
“We must not forget the over 150 heroic activists and aid workers who the Israeli government is still holding hostage after kidnapping them from the Gaza aid flotilla. The torture of these activists must end, and they must go free immediately. The international community, especially nations whose citizens remain in custody, must take action and Israeli officials must be held accountable for their abuses”
He noted that earlier this week, CAIR condemned Israeli occupation forces’ reported abuses and inhumane treatment of American citizens and civilian activists – including Greta Thunberg – abducted while en route to Gaza delivering humanitarian aid.
SEE: CAIR Condemns Israel’s Reported Abuses of Kidnapped Gaza Aid Flotilla Activists
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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