The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the murder of a 14-year-old Palestinian boy by illegal Israeli settlers in an attack on a school in the West Bank.
CAIR also condemned an attack on a mosque in south Lebanon by Israeli forces and a reported Israeli strike on rescue workers attempting to assist a wounded journalist in Lebanon.
Aws al-Naasan, 14, and Jihad Abu Naim, 32, were killed in the attack on the village of al-Mughayyir, in which three others were wounded. The head of the local council said that illegal Israeli settlers had entered the village and opened fire near a school, first at students, and later at others who arrived at the scene. Witnesses said settlers were later followed by Israeli soldiers.
Israeli forces severely damaged the Sheikh Ragheb Harb mosque in southern Lebanon.
An Israeli drone dropped a grenade on rescuers trying to lift a wounded journalist from the rubble in southern Lebanon.
SEE: Israeli drone drops grenade on rescuers aiding wounded journalist in south Lebanon
In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:
“CAIR unequivocally condemns the reported killing of a 14-year-old Palestinian boy and a 32-year-old man in an illegal settler attack near a school in the West Bank. We also condemn the reported attack by Israeli forces on a mosque in southern Lebanon, a house of worship that should be protected, not subjected to military force.
“Equally disturbing are reports that an Israeli strike targeted rescue workers attempting to aid a wounded journalist in southern Lebanon. Attacks on first responders and members of the press represent a blatant disregard for human life and the principles of humanitarian protection.
“We call on our government and the international community to hold the perpetrators accountable, and take immediate steps to protect civilians, religious sites, journalists, and humanitarian workers. Silence and inaction in the face of such crimes only embolden further abuses.”
This week, CAIR called on the Trump administration and Congress to stop ignoring and enabling Israel’s longstanding “war on Christians” after Israeli occupation forces were shown smashing a statue depicting Jesus in Lebanon.
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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