The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined 80 advocacy Muslim, Palestinian, and allied organizations representing communities across the United States to send a letter to President Biden that objects to his recent decisions to both transfer more deadly weapons to the Israeli government and falsely certify that the Israeli government’s war on Gaza complies with U.S. law.
CLICK HERE: READ THE LETTER
“The American people do not want a change in rhetoric,” the signing organizations wrote to President Biden. “The American people want a concrete change in policy…Risking your presidential legacy and the reputation of our nation around the world to enable the Netanyahu government’s genocide has been a disastrous decision. We implore you to reverse course before thousands more die.”
The letter, which was sent one day after the White House was forced to scale back its plans for a Ramadan iftar after many American Muslim leaders declined to attend, calls on President Biden to change course by taking four specific steps:
- Recognize that the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza violate U.S. law and your national security memorandum.
- Suspend the transfer of all weapons to the Israeli government as required by U.S. law and your national security memorandum.
- Use American leverage to secure an immediate, permanent ceasefire, the unimpeded opening of all land crossings to humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages and political prisoners, and the reconstruction of Gaza.
- Pursue a just and lasting peace through an end to the Israeli occupation and apartheid policies.
Signatories to the letter include various major Muslim, Arab, Palestinian and allied groups, including American Muslims for Palestine, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Emgage, Hindus for Human Rights, Indian American Muslim Council, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), The Mosque Cares: The Ministry of Imam W.D. Muhammad, Muslim American Society, Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), MPower Change Action Fund, and the US Council of Muslim Organizations.
END
CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@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