(LOS ANGELES, CA – 10/23/2023) – On Thursday, Oct. 26, the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) will hold a press conference with Palestinian-Americans in Orange County whose family members are currently trapped in Gaza.
An estimated 600 American citizens are currently stranded in Gaza. A diplomatic deal between the U.S., Egypt, and Israel was meant to allow the Americans in Gaza to evacuate safely during a five-hour window through the Rafah border into Egypt. However, Palestinian officials did not receive communication about the border’s opening from Egyptian officials, and ultimately, no one was able to cross.
Egypt has been reluctant to fully re-open the border, which was closed after it was hit by multiple Israeli strikes. The U.S. State Department does not have officials at the border but continues to advise Americans in Gaza to go to the crossing.
These stranded American citizens, along with the people of Gaza, face a dire situation as Israel continues to block trucks delivering fuel, food, and other forms of humanitarian aid from entering Gaza through the Rafah border.
CAIR-LA is calling on President Biden to immediately evacuate all Palestinian Americans currently trapped in Gaza, as he did for nearly 300 Americans in Israel.
WHAT: Press Conference on Behalf of Palestinian Americans Trapped in Gaza
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 26, 10:30 a.m. PT
WHERE: CAIR-LA Office, 2180 W. Crescent Ave., Ste. F, Anaheim, CA
WHO:
- Hussam Ayloush, executive director, CAIR-LA
- Dina Chehata, civil rights managing attorney, CAIR-LA
- Representatives from affected families
Media will have an opportunity to interview speakers following their introductory remarks.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or [email protected]