In a statement to WHYY News, Ahmet Tekelioglu, the executive director of CAIR-Philadelphia, a Muslim advocacy coalition, called on the governor to meet with Palestinian and Muslim leadership in the state “who have long advocated for full human rights and dignity in the Holy Land, for all.”
Tekelioglu also said Shapiro should “be able to acknowledge the humanity of Palestinian people living under occupation and the abhorrent conditions that Israeli governments have subjected them to.”
https://whyy.org/articles/israel-hamas-war-pennsylvania-new-jersey-delaware-reaction/
Full statement provided to WHYY by Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, PhD., CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director:
The Muslim community has been mobilizing to explain to the broader audiences the root causes of what is happening in Palestine/Israel — decades of occupation and dehumanization of Palestinians from all faith backgrounds, and particularly the inhumane siege imposed on the nearly 2 million inhabitants of Gaza in a clear violation of international law.
Palestinian community in Pennsylvania is following the developments with concern for their loved ones while pointing out to the double standards for care of life that local politicians are exhibiting. We are seeing a reaction particularly to Governor Shapiro’s statement on Saturday, October 7.
We hear from our community that the Governor of all Pennsylvanians, including thousands of Palestinian Pennsylvanians should be able to acknowledge the humanity of Palestinian people living under occupation and the abhorrent conditions that Israeli governments have subjected them to. Essentially that Palestinian lives are not less than any other life.
The current stance paints an image of one-sidedness that is both inaccurate and unethical, and really an affront to the Palestinian American families and communities here in Philadelphia, Allentown, Harrisburg, and other areas.
We also see an expectation that the Governor should meet with Palestinian and Muslim leadership in the state who have long advocated for full human rights and dignity in the Holy Land for all.
