(WASHINGTON D.C., 5/5/2022) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today again called on the Biden administration to condemn the latest assault on Palestinian worshipers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, one of Islam’s holiest sites, and said the administration’s silence is emboldening such violence.
[NOTE: CAIR’s call comes on a day when Israel’s highest court approved the eviction of Palestinians from eight villages.]
Heavily-armed Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound Thursday morning, reportedly injuring at least 12 Palestinian worshipers. Israeli police allegedly used rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas to disperse worshipers protesting repeated intrusions by Israeli settlers into the holy site.
Israeli settlers reportedly waved the Israeli flag at the Al-Qatanin gate at the western side of the compound and sang the Israeli national anthem. Israeli police blocked off the Qibli prayer area inside the mosque, damaging an 800-year-old pulpit located inside the prayer area.
SEE: WATCH: Israeli Forces Raid Al-Aqsa Mosque, Assault Palestinian Worshippers
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Yet again, the Israeli government has demonstrated its utter lack of regard for basic human rights and religious freedom by assaulting civilians at one of Islam’s holiest sites. President Biden’s silence on these egregious abuses only emboldens the Israeli government’s brutal actions. Our government cannot claim moral authority to condemn Russia’s unjust attack on the Ukrainian people if it is unwilling to condemn the Israeli government’s repeated attacks on the Palestinian people.”
Awad noted that CAIR called on President Biden and the international community to condemn Israeli attacks on Palestinian worshipers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound last month.
SEE: CAIR Renews Call for President Biden, International Community to Condemn Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Worshipers, Al-Aqsa Mosque in Ramadan
CAIR Calls on President Biden to Condemn Israeli Attack on Palestinian Worshipers, Al-Aqsa Mosque in Ramadan
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, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]