The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a letter from Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to safeguard U.S. citizens aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which has faced drone strikes and other attacks while attempting to deliver life-saving aid to Gaza.
In their September 24th letter, the senators urged the State Department to demand that Israel refrain from using force against peaceful civilian vessels and to ensure that humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza so that the desperate conditions prompting the flotillas no longer persist.
CAIR noted that yesterday it sent a private letter to members of the House and Senate urging them to condemn the bombing of the flotilla and to demand protection for American citizens on board. On Wednesday, CAIR also issued a public Action Alert mobilizing over 1,000 constituents to send more than 3,000 messages to Congress and press for immediate action.
In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw said:
“We welcome this important letter from Senators Markey, Merkley, Van Hollen, and Warren demanding that the U.S. government act to protect American lives aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. Their call underscores the urgency of this crisis and validates the concerns we raised in our communications to Congress yesterday. More members of Congress must join this effort to hold Israel accountable and to ensure the safe passage of American citizens delivering humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza suffering as a result of Israel’s ongoing genocide.”
McCaw added: “We urge every American to take part in CAIR’s Action Alert to tell their elected officials to stand up for the rights and safety of U.S. citizens under attack.”
CAIR is calling on additional members of the House and Senate to immediately add their voices to this demand and to join international calls for an independent investigation into Israel’s attacks on the flotilla.
SEE: Condemn Israeli Bombing of Gaza Aid Flotilla Carrying U.S. Citizens, Demand Safe Passage
On Tuesday, CAIR commended the government of Spain for approving a full arms embargo on Israel and urged other nations to adopt similar measures.
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