(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/17/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned Israel’s latest war crime in Gaza, the bombing of a hospital that killed hundreds of people.
CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, also called on the Biden administration to demand an immediate ceasefire.
CAIR recently called on the Biden administration to oppose Israel’s “self-declared war crimes” after that nation’s government declared a “siege” on the entire civilian population of Gaza and escalated a mass bombing campaign that has killed thousands, including more than 1,000 children.
[NOTE: Almost 25,000 Americans have used CAIR’s action alert to contact their members of Congress and call for an end to the violence and the renewal of U.S.-led efforts to end the occupation. SEE: Urge Your Members of Congress to Address Root Cause of Mideast Violence (cair.com) ]
“After this heinous war crime, the international community can no longer turn a blind eye to the suffering of the Palestinian people under a cruel campaign of killing and displacement,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad, who is Palestinian-American. “Fair-minded people will recognize that Israel knows where the hospitals in Gaza are located. Any assertion that this was an accident must be met with extreme skepticism.”
Awad added: “President Biden must also share in the accountability for this crime after giving Israel the green light to attack civilians in Gaza. This slaughter is taking place with American weapons and U.S. taxpayer dollars.”
BACKGROUNDER:
Israel’s far-right defense minister has said that Israel is fighting “human animals” and that the entire Gaza population would be treated accordingly through a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip that block all supplies of electricity, food and fuel. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres he is “deeply distressed” by that blockade.
According to the Geneva Convention, states must allow the free passage of medical supplies, food, and other relief supplies for the benefit of a civilian population.
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court states that it a war crime to: “Intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival, including wilfully [sic] impeding relief supplies as provided for under the Geneva Conventions.”
Collective punishment is also prohibited by Article 33 of the Geneva Conventions, which states: “No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited.”
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