The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) is calling on Connecticut’s federal and state lawmakers to publicly condemn the reported systematic sexual violence, torture, and abuse committed against Palestinians by Israeli prison guards, soldiers, interrogators, and settlers, as documented in a recent investigation published by The New York Times.
The article, “The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians,” by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof, published on May 11, 2026, details testimony from Palestinian men, women, and children who described severe sexual abuse, rape, torture, humiliation, and threats while detained by Israeli authorities or attacked by settlers in the occupied West Bank, especially since the beginning of the genocide since October 2023.
According to the article and cited investigations, Palestinians hostages and detainees reported:
- Rape and sexual assault with objects inserted into their rectum
- Rape by canine dogs handled by Israeli prison guards
- Threats of rape against detainees and family members
- Physical torture and humiliation
- Sexual violence against minors
- Abuse carried out during detention and interrogations
- Sexualized violence used to force displacement of Palestinian communities
In a statement, CAIR-CT Chairman Farhan Memon said:
“Our lawmakers have a political, human and moral obligation to publicly stand against, condemn, and refuse to be complicit with those barbaric human rights abuses. It is time for them to choose to stand with rapists or against them. To choose to be with humans or with monsters.
“After the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, some of our lawmakers went on the campaign trail parrotting ludicrous Israeli government propaganda about “beheaded children” which was soon after proven false. It is the time for them to tell their constituents the truth. The same moral standard must apply when Palestinians are the victims.
“We are asking Connecticut lawmakers: Where is your red line? What actions will you take to stop the systematic torture, rape, abuse, and dehumanization being reported against Palestinian civilians and detainees? Will you issue statements condemning these acts? Will you publicly call for investigations and accountability?”
CAIR-CT emphasized that the issue is particularly urgent because the United States continues to provide billions of dollars in military assistance and support to the Israeli government. “Our tax dollars are helping fund a system accused by international organizations and human rights groups – including Israeli organizations – of systematic widespread abuse and violations of international humanitarian law. Silence in the face of these allegations makes our government complicit.”
CAIR-CT is calling on Connecticut’s congressional delegation and state leaders to:
- Publicly condemn all forms of sexual violence and torture against Palestinians
- Call for independent international investigations into reported abuses
- Demand restoration of Red Cross and independent monitoring access to detainees
- Support accountability for violations of international humanitarian law
- Oppose the use of U.S. taxpayer funds in ways that contribute to human rights abuses
- Apply consistent human rights standards regardless of nationality or religion
CAIR-CT calls on our lawmakers to act quickly against the Israeli abuses against Palestinian civilians and to arrest any human rights violators who may reside in Connecticut from those who participated in the genocide in Gaza including those who may be found guilty of killing, raping, torturing civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CT) is a chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil rights 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-CT Chairman Farhan Memon, fmemon@cair.com or 203-517-6526 (cell)