(WASHINGTON D.C., 5/11/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on President Biden to condemn the assassination of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and direct the FBI to launch an investigation into her murder.
Abu Akleh, an American citizen and a reporter for Al Jazeera, was shot and killed by an Israeli sniper while covering an Israeli attack on the occupied West Bank town of Jenin early Wednesday.
SEE: Shireen Abu Akleh: Al Jazeera reporter killed by Israeli gunfire
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/11/shireen-abu-akleh-israeli-forces-kill-al-jazeera-journalist
Palestinian-American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh killed covering Israel Defense Forces raid in West Bank
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“We strongly condemn the assassination of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, and we call on President Biden to do the same.
“Throughout this year, the Israeli apartheid government has been launching increasingly violent attacks on reporters, worshipers, paramedics and protesters. Israeli forces also have a long history of targeting journalists, even bombing the Gaza headquarters of the Associated Press and Al-Jazeera last year. Our nation’s muted reaction has emboldened this violence.
“Enough is enough. These war crimes must end, and President Biden is the only world leader with the influence to end them. President Biden should immediately call for a complete end to Israeli attacks on Palestinian territory and direct the FBI to launch an independent investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh’s murder.”
Awad noted that earlier this week, CAIR called on President Biden to withhold aid from Israel following the announcement of plans to build some 4,000 new racially-segregated housing units on occupied Palestinian land.
SEE: CAIR Calls on Biden Administration to Withhold Aid to Israel Following Announced Construction of New Racially-Segregated Housing on Occupied Palestinian Land
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 Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com