Muslim civil rights group condemns Israel’s war crimes against Gaza hospitals, killing and abuse of medical staff, patients
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/28/2024) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Biden administration to demand the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza, who was kidnapped by Israeli forces. Dr. Safiya was reportedly assaulted before being detained yesterday.
SEE ALSO: Israel detains the director of one of northern Gaza’s last functioning hospitals, Palestinians say – Associated Press
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CAIR also condemned Israel’s targeted attacks on hospitals and its killing, kidnapping and abuse of medical staff and patients.
Those kidnapped by Israel at the hospital described being beaten, spit on, stripped and left in the cold for hours as they were held and interrogated. “They took photos of all of us. They spat on us. They humiliated us,” one man said. “Before releasing us, they put a number on everyone’s chest and back.”
WATCH: Israeli forces attack Gaza hospital, killing medical staff
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Israel’s ongoing genocidal assault on medical personnel, patients and hospitals must be condemned by all people of conscience who value international laws and norms. The Biden administration, which is complicit with Israel’s genocide, must call for an end to Israeli attacks on medical facilities throughout Gaza and must demand the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya.”
Israel has slaughtered more than 45,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children. The World Food Program now says Israel is forcibly depriving over two million people of access to food, water, shelter in Gaza.
Earlier this week, CAIR reiterated its call for the American Medical Association (AMA) to condemn Israel’s attacks on medical facilities in Gaza as three hospitals in devastated northern Gaza are under siege or face forced evacuation.
SEE: CAIR Reiterates Call for AMA to Condemn Israeli Siege, Forced Evacuation of 3 Gaza Hospitals
Earlier this month, CAIR called on AMA to condemn an Israeli massacre of medical personnel in Gaza. Israel has killed more than 1,000 Palestinian health care workers and destroyed most of the medical infrastructure in Gaza.
In its previous letter to AMA President Bruce A. Scott, M.D., CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad wrote:
“The genocidal far-right government of indicted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu has already slaughtered more than 1,000 health care workers in Gaza, with the massacre of doctors at Kamal Adwan Hospital being just the latest atrocity. It is the duty of all those who care about the safety and security of medical personnel in conflict zones worldwide to speak out against these war crimes. We urge you, as president of the AMA, to take firm action in support of your colleagues under siege in Gaza.”
To date, CAIR has not received any reply to its letter despite sending copies to all AMA board members.
Israel has slaughtered more than 45,000 people in Gaza, mostly women and children. The World Food Program says Israel is forcibly depriving over 2 million people of access to food, water, shelter in Gaza.
Last month, CAIR condemned the Israeli murder of a leading doctor in Gaza and urged the international community to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (Nov. 29) with renewed efforts to end Israel’s genocide.
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