The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed reports that the United Nations has added Israel to its list of parties committing sexual violence in conflict zones, citing allegations involving Israeli forces and prison authorities against Palestinians.
According to multiple media reports, the United Nations’ annual report on conflict-related sexual violence documented allegations of rape, sexual assault, humiliation, and abuse of Palestinian detainees and civilians during Israel’s military operations in Gaza and other illegally- occupied Palestinian territories.
In a statement, CAIR said:
“The United Nations’ reported decision to add the Israeli prison system to its blacklist for conflict-related sexual violence is a long-overdue acknowledgment of the suffering Israeli authorities inflict on Palestinians, human rights activists, medical professionals, and others with funding from American taxpayers.
“For far too long, Palestinian victims have been denied justice while documented allegations of torture, humiliation, sexual abuse, and other inhumane treatment have been dismissed or ignored by our nation, western media outlets and international bodies. International law must apply equally to all people, regardless of nationality or political alliances.
“We welcome any credible international effort to investigate and document abuses against Palestinian civilians and detainees, and we urge the Trump administration and Congress to stop enabling the rape and torture of people, including Palestinian-Americans, abducted by the Israeli apartheid government.“
Washington, D.C., based CAIR recently called on Congress and the Trump administration to take immediate action after a New York Times report detailed horrifying allegations of widespread sexual abuse, rape, torture, and humiliation of Palestinians held in Israeli detention facilities.
CAIR also recently called on Congress and the Trump administration to act following allegations that activists on a humanitarian aid flotilla to Gaza kidnapped in international waters by Israel were subjected to sexual assault, violence and rape while in detention.
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 Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]