The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned “hate-filled” remarks attributed to Israel’s Chief Rabbi David Yosef in which he denied the existence of a Palestinian people and asserted that Palestinians “have no rights.”
Yosef reportedly made the remarks during an address at the Gush Katif Museum in West Jerusalem. The report says he also claimed Gaza and cities in the occupied West Bank for Jews and called for Gaza’s destruction and Jewish settlement.
SEE: Rabbi David Yosef: ‘There is no such thing as a Palestinian people and they have no rights” – Haredim 10
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad, who is of Palestinian heritage, said:
“It is profoundly disturbing that a religious leader would deny the very existence and basic rights of an entire people. Such rhetoric dehumanizes Palestinians and helps create an ideological and religious climate in which genocide is normalized and justified.
“Palestinians are a people with a deep-rooted history, culture, identity and connection to their homeland. Their existence and their human rights are not matters for anyone to grant or deny.
“The denial of Palestinian humanity and rights must not become normalized. Palestinians deserve the same fundamental rights, dignity, freedom, and security that every human being deserves.”
Yesterday, CAIR condemned commentator Van Jones for his latest “dishonest and shameful” denial of the Israeli government’s crimes against children in Gaza.
Last week, CAIR said Israel’s belated announcement that it will open a criminal investigation into its slaughter of five-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab, her family members, and the paramedics who attempted to rescue them is “worthless” and called on the U.S. to hold Israel accountable for her murder and for the genocide in Gaza.
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 National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]