The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called for the Biden administration to demand the immediate release of Al Jazeera reporters and dozens of doctors and patients who reportedly kidnapped by Israeli forces during an attack on al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
Israeli forces reportedly severely beat and detained Al Jazeera journalist Ismail al-Ghoul and his team during a raid on Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital. Press freedom groups including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the International Press Institute (IPI) condemned Israel’s actions and called for the journalists’ release. Dozens of doctors and patients were reportedly seized by Israeli forces as well.
SEE: CPJ condemns detention of Ismail al-Ghoul
IPI calls for detained Al Jazeera journalist’s ‘immediate release’
BREAKING | Sources from the Al Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Once again, the Israeli government has brutally attacked journalists for reporting on the horrors of its genocide and doctors for treating victims of that genocide, all inside a hospital. Every day, the Israeli government’s brazen atrocities become more and more difficult to deny. The Biden administration must demand the immediate release of Ismail al-Ghoul, his team of journalists, and all the kidnapped doctors and patients at al-Shifa Hospital and secure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.”
CPJ reports that Israel has been censoring and targeting journalists since the war began.
SEE: Journalist casualties in the Israel-Gaza war
Attacks, arrests, threats, censorship: The high risks of reporting the Israel-Gaza war – Committee to Protect Journalists
Reporters Without Borders has called the arrest of Al Jazeera Arabic’s Ismail al-Ghoul “part of Israel’s ongoing crackdown on the press”.
SEE: Press freedom group demands release of Al Jazeera correspondent
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.
Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR’s Email List
https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters
Subscribe to CAIR’s Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR’s YouTube Channel
Follow CAIR on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/cair_national/
Donate to CAIR
https://action.cair.com/a/donate
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
You are receiving this email due to your interest selection from commercial media databases. If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
END
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