CAIR Action Alert: Last Chance to Urge Senate to Deny $17 Billion Aid Package for Israel, Avoid Further Complicity
(Washington, D.C., 4/22/24)– CAIR is calling on all Americans to take action and urge their U.S. Senators to oppose and vote “NO” during tomorrow’s initial vote on the House’s weekend-adopted $17 billion unconditional genocide-supporting military aid package. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has announced that an initial vote on this aid is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. CAIR condemned the House’s adoption of the aid package over the weekend. Should the bill proceed to a vote, CAIR is calling on all U.S. Senators to support and vote “Yes” on Senator Bernie Sanders’ latest amendments to condition US military aid on whether Israel is violating human rights in Gaza, and to “Restore funding for UNRWA so that children in Gaza don’t starve.“ President Joe Biden stated last Wednesday that he would “sign this into law immediately.” Over the weekend, 366 Democratic and Republican House lawmakers voted in favor of ignoring the will of the majority of Americans who support an immediate ceasefire by sending $17 billion in unconditional military aid to fund Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government. “We cannot remain silent in the face of genocide. Our Senators must hear from us that this vote will determine whether the U.S. will continue to provide a blank, unconditional check for Israel’s genocidal actions against Palestinians — a stance already endorsed by President Biden and bipartisan congressional leaders. Given the Senate’s probable approval of this legislation, our nation risks deeper involvement in genocidal acts planned by Benjamin Netanyahu, fueled by new U.S. weapons,” said CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert S. McCaw. CAIR notes this aid package includes $2.4 billion for U.S. Central Command operations, further embroiling our military in Israel’s ever-growing regional conflict. The package also has a provision continuing a prohibition on any U.S. funds being allocated to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provides aid to Palestinians. CAIR notes that this new aid package would offer $9.2 billion in humanitarian assistance, including emergency food and shelter. In December, Democrats in the Senate adopted an aid package for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel that would have supplied Israel with over $14 billion in military aid but failed to gain traction or approval in the House. CAIR disappointedly expects this aid package to pass. END 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 |
Due to the recent developments in the Middle East and those speaking out at rallies, social media, and other venues, we are reminding our community of their civil rights when dealing with law enforcement.
