The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today commended Pope Francis for again denouncing the Israeli government’s war crimes Gaza after he released a speech calling the humanitarian crisis in Gaza created by Israel “very serious and shameful.”
In a yearly address to diplomats, Pope Francis also said: “We cannot in any way accept the bombing of civilians. We cannot accept that children are freezing to death because hospitals have been destroyed or a country’s energy network has been hit.” An aide delivered the address due to the Pope’s poor health.
In a statement, CAIR said:
“We applaud Pope Francis for continuing to speak out against the Israeli government’s war crimes in Gaza. His principled statements stand in stark contrast to the immoral and unprincipled stance of President Biden, who has chosen to side with indicted war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu over the leader of the Catholic Church.”
Last month, CAIR welcomed a statement by Pope Francis condemning the “cruelty” of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. In November, CAIR welcomed a call by the Pope for an investigation to determine whether Israel has committed “genocide” in Gaza.
Israel has slaughtered more than 46,000 people in Gaza – mostly women and children – has destroyed the vast majority of Gaza’s civilian and medical infrastructure, forcibly displaced almost the entire population, and has imposed forced starvation in the areas it has invaded.
Yesterday, CAIR applauded Ireland for joining South Africa’s case against Israel’s genocide in Gaza before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
CAIR also condemned the latest slaughter of Palestinian children and other civilians by Israeli forces in Gaza, including an Israeli-designated safe zone.
Last year, CAIR welcomed a detailed submission by South Africa to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) outlining evidence of Israel’s violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention in its war on Gaza.
Also last year, CAIR applauded the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza genocide.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@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