The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Ohio state Senator Beth Liston’s moral decision to cancel paid trip to visit genocidal regime.
On Sept. 12, Senator Liston (D-Dublin) posted on X her decision not to participate in a paid legislative trip to Israel thanking her constituents for helping her see the harm in this activity.
She wrote in part: “What I decided was that I didn’t just need to guard against propaganda. I WAS the propaganda in this sponsored trip. I did not want to be used as a tool in support of the Israeli government actions. I cancelled the trip.”
For years, paid legislative trips to Israel has been an activity of many lawmakers across the nation.
CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & North Executive Director Faten Odeh, said:
“This ground-breaking news is a testament to what grassroot efforts can achieve. CAIR-Ohio is an awe of the countless hours and efforts of the organizers who made this happen and thanks Senator Liston for being a civil servant of the people and restoring our hope in our lawmakers.”
In an article posted by, Baladna Palestine Society of Columbus, Mazen Rasoul, a local attorney and activist stated:
“We encourage all elected officials to, on all levels, listen to their constituents. To reach out to our community members and listen to a different perspective before making their decisions on attending such trips or taking any action regarding the issue.”
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-Ohio, Cleveland & North Executive Director Faten Odeh, fodeh@cair.com, 216-440-2247