U.S. Muslims, Arab-Americans Urge President to Demand Restoration of Gaza Ceasefire Broken by Israel

 
—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 15, 2012) – A coalition* of American Muslim and Arab-American civil rights, community and advocacy organizations today called on President Obama to demand that Israel restore the ceasefire that it broke with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Since Israel began its latest round of attacks on Gaza, a number of Palestinian and Israeli civilians have been killed, including the 11-month-old son of a BBC journalist.
In a statement, the coalition said:
“We urge President Obama not to sit on the sidelines as American taxpayer-funded weapons are used to kill civilians — including babies — and to destroy the civilian infrastructure in Gaza. Our nation’s blind support for Israel’s brutal actions has done and continues to do immense harm to America’s image and interests in the Middle East and worldwide.
“We regret the death or injury of any civilians on either side of this tragic conflict. It is time to tell Israel and the world that Palestinian blood and property are just as precious as that of Israelis. Until the core issue of justice for the Palestinian people is addressed by our nation and by the international community, we will no doubt witness endless repetitions of these senseless cycles of violence.
“America must not be party to this violence, either through action or inaction.”
Media reports indicate that the latest violence in Gaza was triggered November 5 when Israeli forces killed a 23-year-old Palestinian man as he “approached the border fence.” According to some accounts, the slain Palestinian was mentally challenged. On November 8, Israeli forces shot and killed a 13-year-old Palestinian boy who was “playing football with his friends in front of his family’s house.”

Gaza's Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, right, and Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil, left, hold the body of a Palestinian boy killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza City today. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hams, Pool)
Gaza’s Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, right, and Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil, left, hold the body of a Palestinian boy killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza City today. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hams, Pool)

* SIGNATORIES of the joint statement include: (in alphabetical order)
* American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
* American Muslim Alliance (AMA)
* American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)
* Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
* Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
* Muslim American Society (MAS)
* Muslim Legal Fund of America (MFLA)

5 Responses

  1. The world is in pain and if we do not help the world achieve peace…hurt and diis-spare would overwhelm us and the help of God will be far….stop the killings!!! Stop the bombings!!! Free the Palestinian People…. stop supporting Oppression around the world!No one group of people has a right and a monopoly to Human Rights and Human Dignity!!!!! Support a two state Solution Israel and Palestine have rights to EXIST PEACEFULLY without fear and hate from either sides!!!…”Those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? – Men, women, and children, whose cry is: “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!”

  2. Ya Allah, Your servants now are only left with the weapon of Dua. Indeed it is the strongest weapon You have blessed us with. Ya Rabbi, make this stop Ya Rabbi! We need You Ya Rabbi! Your slaves need You!

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