The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the decision by the Biden administration to approve a new sale of $1 billion in arms to Israel despite its ongoing genocide in Gaza.
This decision comes at a time when reports from Congress indicate that President Biden is greenlighting the transfer of tank ammunition, tactical vehicles, and mortar rounds to Israel while simultaneously placing a hold on a previous arms transfer of 3,500 2,000-pound bombs due to concerns about Israel’s ongoing and increasing murder of civilians in Rafah and throughout Gaza.
SEE: Biden is Moving Ahead on $1B Arms Package for Israel | TIME
While Israel’s increasing military attacks on the besieged city of Rafah in Gaza have resulted in more than 35,000 civilians having been murdered and 80,000 others injured, the Biden administration has informed Congress of its decision to approve further arms sales to Israel.
In a statement, CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw said:
“CAIR vehemently denounces the Biden administration’s appalling double standard: greenlighting a staggering $1 billion in arms sales to Israel while halting previous transfers, supposedly over concerns for civilian casualties in Gaza. This hypocritical move is a quick capitulation by Biden to House Speaker Mike Johnson and other one-sided congressional supporters of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
“President Biden’s lack of response to Israel’s invasion of Rafah — a red line he was supposedly firm on — exposes a glaring weakness and an alarming willingness on his part to enable Israel’s murder of Palestinian civilians. By fueling Israel with more weaponry, President Biden sends a chilling message of disregard for Palestinian lives and undermines any pretense of fostering peace. We demand President Biden immediately reverse course, confront the true origins of this conflict, and ensure justice and dignity for all affected parties.
“We also call on Congress to exercise its oversight authority and demand accountability from the Biden administration regarding its unconditional arms sales policies towards Israel.”
McCaw noted that the Biden administration’s approval of these weapons sales is not part of any previous or new aid package to Israel.
Yesterday, CAIR called on President Biden and the U.S. Department of State to swiftly secure the immediate evacuation of all American doctors currently trapped in Gaza due to the Israeli government’s invasion and blockade of Rafah. CAIR also called on the Biden Administration to demand that Israel end its assault on Rafah and allow the free flow of aid and travel of medical professionals.
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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; CAIR Government Affairs Department Director Robert S. McCaw, 202-999-8292, rmccaw@cair.com.