(NEWARK, NJ –11/20/2024) — The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today applauded interim US Sen. George Helmy for his strong stance on the Senate floor advocating for Palestinian human rights as the US-backed Israeli genocide nears the 14-month mark with no sign of a ceasefire.
Interim US Sen. George Helmy of New Jersey, the only Arab American in the Senate, took to the Senate Floor on Monday to deliver a poignant plea to his fellow Senators, highlighting the devastating toll of the conflict in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.
Helmy described visiting Jordan recently and seeing an extensive blockade that has resulted in the prevention of critical aid from entering Gaza and the West Bank.
“This blockade has severely restricted the amounts of aid that make it to desperate Palestinians whose lives depend upon it,” Helmy said. “The blockade has prevented the safe transport of those supplies into Gaza and the West Bank, where just miles away, women, children, and families are literally starving.”
SEE: Transcript of Sen. Helmy’s Senate Floor Speech
SEE: Video of Sen. Helmy Calling Out Israel’s Aid Blockade
The blockade enforced by the Israeli government is at the only viable point of entrance for aid to Gaza and the West Bank, gutting a critical artery for humanitarian support.
Although Helmy fell short of unequivocally naming US-backed Israel as the perpetrator of aid blockade and war crimes in Palestine and Lebanon, CAIR-New Jersey recognizes the Senator’s efforts to advocate for Palestinian human rights.
“We welcome Sen. George Helmy speech addressing the utter devastation in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. His acknowledgment of the profound suffering endured by civilians and his emphasis on the urgent need for unobstructed humanitarian aid reflect a deep commitment to human rights and justice, CAIR-NJ Government Affairs Manager Nancy Elbassiouny said.
“Sen. Helmy’s call for a compassionate and strategic approach to the Middle East conflict underscores the importance of prioritizing the protection of innocent lives and ensuring hope for the future of all affected communities.” Elbassiouny added.
CAIR-NJ ACTION ALERT: Tell your US Sens. to vote YES on Blocking Weapons to Israel
The US-backed Israeli assault on Palestine and Lebanon has had a harrowing toll on communities both at home and abroad.
More than 44,000 Palestinians have been slaughtered and another 3,500 were killed in Lebanon by relentless Israeli bombardments.
New Jersey, specifically Passaic County, is home to one of the largest Palestinian communities in the U.S. Muslims make up about 3% of the Garden State’s population, roughly 300,000 people.
To that end, CAIR-New Jersey rejects Sen. Helmy’s description of the ongoing genocide and violence as “humanitarian crisis” because it does not accurately contextualize the perpetrators causing the suffering of millions of people. Palestine and Lebanon are under continuous attacks by Israel, whose military is funded by American tax dollars.
CAIR-NJ reiterates its calls to the Biden administration to stop sending weapons to Israel and demands a complete ceasefire in Palestine and Lebanon. We also urge all New Jersey residents to contact their U.S. Senators and urge them to vote “yes” on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block more than $20 billion in illegal U.S. weapons sales to Israel.
CAIR’s mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: Aya Elamroussi, aelamroussi@cair.com, 551-208-5482