CAIR Calls on Biden Administration to Stop Israeli Government’s ‘Self-Declared War Crimes’ in Gaza Strip
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 10/10/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on the Biden administration to oppose Israel’s “self-declared war crimes” after that nation’s government declared a “siege” on the entire civilian population of Gaza and escalated a mass bombing campaign that has killed at least 830 Palestinians, including over 100 children. [NOTE: Since yesterday afternoon, more than 3,000 Americans have used CAIR’s action alert to contact their members of Congress and call for an end to the violence and the renewal of U.S.-led efforts to end the occupation. SEE: Urge Your Members of Congress to Address Root Cause of Mideast Violence (cair.com) ] Israel’s far-right defense minister has said that Israel is fighting “human animals” and that the entire Gaza population would be treated accordingly through a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip that block all supplies of electricity, food and fuel. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres he is “deeply distressed” by that blockade. The Israeli government also admitted today that it is no longer firing warning shots at apartment buildings before destroying them with their residents inside and unaware of the impending attack. SEE: UN chief ‘deeply distressed’ by Israel’s decision to impose full Gaza siege According to the Geneva Convention, states must allow the free passage of medical supplies, food, and other relief supplies for the benefit of a civilian population. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court states that it a war crime to: “Intentionally using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare by depriving them of objects indispensable to their survival, including wilfully [sic] impeding relief supplies as provided for under the Geneva Conventions.” Collective punishment is also prohibited by Article 33 of the Geneva Conventions, which states: “No protected person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally committed. Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited.” In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad, who is of Palestinian heritage, said: “Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right, openly racist cabinet ministers admitted that they planned to commit war crimes against Palestinian civilians in Gaza and that is exactly what they are doing by bombing schools, mosques, marketplaces, hospitals and apartment buildings while starving a captive population. “And through public statements and actions, our nation has yet again given Israel the green light to commit these war crimes against defenseless Palestinians. “Targeting civilians is wrong, whether they are Palestinian or Israeli. Just as our nation condemned the violent targeting of Israeli civilians last weekend, our nation must condemn—and stop sanctioning—the violent targeting of Palestinian civilians now. “The Israeli government’s medieval siege and mass bombing of Gaza are self-declared war crimes under international law. Our nation must be consistent in supporting international law and repudiating war crimes against all people, whether they are Palestinian, Israeli, Ukrainian or any other nationality. “Allowing Netanyahu to turn wipe out tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians and turn Gaza into another Aleppo or Grozny will not bring peace or stability. Only the de-escalation of this violence followed by credible efforts to end the occupation can bring true peace.” 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. 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
|
