The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Biden administration to take action after a UN official and an Israeli human rights organization confirm that Israel is committing the war crime of “intentionally imposing famine.”
UN special rapporteur on the right to health Tlaleng Mofokeng said: “Not only is Israel killing and causing irreparable harm against Palestinian civilians with its bombardments, it and their allies are also knowingly and intentionally imposing famine, prolonged malnutrition, and dehydration.”
The Israeli organization B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories – wrote in a report: “Of the multitude of unacceptable measures Israel is using, starving the population of Gaza is particularly horrifying. For months, Israel has pursued a policy of total blockade, complete destruction of the possibility of local food production through farming or fishing, and restrictions on the delivery of aid. The result of this policy is millions of starving people.”
In a statement, CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper said:
“We could never imagine that in the 21st century, we would witness an entire population being intentionally starved as a tactic of war. This Israeli-imposed famine is occurring with the direct political and military support of the Biden administration, which must finally recognize its complicity in genocide and act to stop Israel’s brutality targeting the entire Palestinian population.”
Yesterday, CAIR condemned yet another Israeli massacre of children in Gaza.
Media reports indicate that 22 people, including 18 children, were killed in the Israeli strikes on the city of Rafah in Gaza. One Israeli strike killed a man, his wife and their 3-year-old child. The wife was pregnant, and the baby was saved with an emergency C-section. Another strike killed 17 children and two women from an extended family.
SEE: Israeli strikes on southern Gaza city of Rafah kill 22, mostly children, as US advances aid package – AP
CAIR also expressed revulsion at revelations of mass graves uncovered in Gaza.
Last week, CAIR condemned other Israeli war crimes in Gaza, including a massacre of children, reports that drones are broadcasting sounds of babies crying to lure Gazans to kill zones and massive Israeli destruction of homes in a so-called “buffer zone” in Gaza.
CAIR also condemned the far-right Israeli government’s attack on Palestinian families – mostly women and children – seeking to return to their homes in devastated North Gaza.
CAIR also condemned widespread attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank by illegal Israeli settlers, protected by the Israeli military.
CAIR recently said the Biden administration must reject the far-right Israeli government’s “transparent” attempt to distract from the Gaza genocide by dragging the U.S. into a regional war and instead demand that the Israeli government de-escalate the crisis it started by bombing an Iranian embassy building.
Last Friday, CAIR said that President Biden must take action following comments by USAID Chief Samantha Powell agreeing with the UN’s assessment that a famine is imminent in Gaza and reports of massacres committed by Israeli forces at the Al-Shifa Hospital.
CAIR also condemned the killing of 25 people in an Israeli airstrike in central Gaza City.
Democrats, Republicans and independents have all become less supportive of Israel’s operation in Gaza than they were in December. Then, a narrow majority approved of Israeli conduct. The latest figures show that a majority, 55%, disapprove of Israel’s actions, while 36% approve.
CBS News poll: Rising numbers of Americans say Biden should encourage Israel to stop Gaza actions
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