(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/14/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Biden administration to demand “real justice” after an announcement that Israeli soldiers will not face criminal prosecution for the death of an elderly Palestinian-American man who they dragged from a car, bound and left unresponsive on the ground overnight after apparently suffering a heart attack.
Palestinian officials called for the Israeli soldiers who detained 80-year-old Omar Assad, a former resident of Wisconsin, to be prosecuted in an international court. An Israeli official said Tuesday that the soldiers would face only disciplinary measures.
SEE: Israeli forces face no charges over death of Palestinian-American
Assad was one of two American citizens killed by Israeli forces last year; the other being journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. CAIR recently expressed support for a call by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md) for the Biden administration to declassify its report on the murder of Abu Akleh by the Israeli military.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“For decades, the Israeli apartheid government and its military occupiers have mistreated and even killed Palestinian-Americans with impunity because of our nation’s denial of Palestinian human rights and because of the un-American defense of Israel’s racial and ethnic segregation.
“We call on the Biden administration to demand real justice following this slap on the wrist for those whose actions resulted in the death of an American citizen.”
Awad also cited the killing by Israeli forces of American human rights activist Rachel Corrie more than 20 years ago.
Rachel Corrie: Justice for Palestinians is only way forward, say US activist’s parents
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/rachel-corrie-justice-palestinians-only-way-forward
He noted that the United States sends billions in aid to Israel every year. The U.S. is estimated to have given over $130 billion in aid to Israel since its founding.
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, 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