The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the reintroduction of a congressional resolution by Rashida Tlaib recognizing the ongoing Palestinian Nakba and affirming the rights of Palestinian refugees and rising support for it in the House.
CAIR is urging all members of Congress to co-sponsor and support adoption of what it describes as a historic and paradigm-shifting resolution that acknowledges Palestinian history, affirms the humanity and rights of Palestinian refugees, and rejects efforts to erase or silence discussion of the Nakba and its ongoing consequences.
The resolution, introduced ahead of the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, reflects growing recognition in Congress and among the American public of the mass displacement, ethnic cleansing, and dispossession endured by Palestinians since 1948 and continuing to this day through war, occupation, settlement expansion, forced displacement, and the destruction of civilian life in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Department Director Robert S. McCaw said:
“The growing support for this resolution reflects a broader shift in public consciousness across our nation. More Americans are learning about the Nakba, understanding its continuing impact on Palestinian families, and recognizing that lasting peace cannot be built on denial, dispossession, or collective punishment. The increasing number of congressional cosponsors and endorsing organizations demonstrates that efforts to silence discussion of Palestinian history are failing.
“For decades, Palestinians and their allies have worked to ensure that the truth about the Nakba is acknowledged and remembered. Today, amid the devastation in Gaza and ongoing displacement across occupied Palestinian territory, that truth is more urgent than ever. Congress must continue moving toward a foreign policy rooted in human rights, equality, accountability, and international law.”
CAIR said the expanded list of congressional cosponsors includes: U.S. Representatives André Carson (IN-07), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Al Green (TX-09), Henry “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).
CAIR said this growth in congressional support demonstrates a growing willingness among elected officials to confront the historical and ongoing realities facing the Palestinian people, as public awareness in the United States continues to rise regarding the Nakba and the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
The legislation is also backed by a broad coalition of endorsing organizations, including CAIR, alongside numerous civil rights, faith-based, peace, interfaith, and human rights organizations advocating for Palestinian human rights, accountability, and justice.
CAIR previously supported earlier versions of this resolution and has long called for recognition of the Nakba, protection of Palestinian human rights, restoration of humanitarian support for Palestinian civilians, and accountability for violations of international law.
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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