Muslim civil rights group asks administration to act on reported rapes of Palestinian women by Israeli forces, massacre at aid distribution site
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 3/24/2024) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Biden administration to publicly condemn and act against the far-right Israeli government’s blocking of West Bank Christians from entering Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
CAIR also called on the administration to take action on the reported rape of Palestinian women by Israeli forces and another massacre targeting Palestinians gathered to receive humanitarian aid.
According to the WAFA news agency, Israeli forces prevented Christians from the occupied West Bank from entering Jerusalem to participate in the celebration of Palm Sunday.
Palestinian authorities also condemned the storming of the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlers, under the protection of Israeli police, marking the first day of Purim.
These reports of the violation of religious rights comes as the Associated Press reports that, “Palestinians who fled an ongoing Israeli raid in and around Gaza’s main hospital described days of heavy fighting, mass arrests and forced marches past dead bodies.”
One alleged eyewitness said: “They [Israeli soldiers] raped women, kidnapped women, executed women, and pulled dead bodies from under the rubble to unleash their dogs on them.” Middle East Monitor reports: “Canadian doctors volunteering in Gaza have reported women being sexually humiliated by Israeli occupation forces in front of their families.”
On Saturday, Israeli forces reportedly killed at least 19 people as they were waiting at an aid distribution point on Saturday in Gaza.
Israel has already killed more than 32,000 people, mostly women and children in Gaza.
Israel requires Muslim and Christian Palestinians to obtain special permits to cross their military checkpoints surrounding the holy city and to access places of worship.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad addressed President Biden:
“Mr. President, what crime could Israel commit that would be worthy of action by your administration? Which international law has not been violated by Israel with your administration’s rhetorical, political and military support?
“Your administration’s officials remain silent, or ‘seeks more information,’ each time the forces of the far-right Israeli government or illegal Israeli settlers carryout new war crimes or violations of religious rights. This silence and avoidance of the truth encourages Netanyahu’s government to continue with its genocidal policies. This must stop.”
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, 202-999-8292, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]