The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the start of hearing before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) about Israel’s genocidal campaign of forced starvation in Gaza and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Representatives from 40 countries and four international organizations are expected to present oral submissions during the hearings.
Palestine’s Ambassador to the Netherlands Ammar Hijazi told the court: “Israel is starving, killing and displacing Palestinians while also targeting and blocking humanitarian organizations trying to save their lives.” He said: “Israel is an unlawful occupying power standing trial for genocide. Its Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) is wanted by the ICC (International Criminal Court)”
The United Nations was the first to address the court on Monday, followed by Palestinian representatives. In total, 40 states and four international organizations are scheduled to participate.
Last week, CAIR called on the world community to break Israel’s “medieval siege” on Gaza that is resulting in the starvation deaths of Palestinian children.
In a statement, CAIR said:
“We welcome the world community speaking out about Israel’s genocidal campaign of forced starvation in Gaza and its decades-long denial of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, freedom and human dignity. These hearings are one more step in the recognition of Palestinians as human being deserving peace and justice, despite the systematic campaign to deny their humanity.”
In February, CAIR said that President Trump’s threat to cut unspecified funding to South Africa likely represents retaliation for the nation’s successful pursuit of genocide charges against Israel before the ICJ and a favor to white supremacists who oppose any efforts to return stolen farmland in South Africa to the indigenous Black community.
Last year, CAIR welcomed a detailed submission by South Africa to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) outlining evidence of Israel’s violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention in its war on Gaza.
Also last year, CAIR applauded the International Criminal Court (ICC) for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza genocide.
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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