Muslim civil rights and advocacy group commends President-Elect Trump for supporting a deal and says President Biden cost lives by refusing to force ceasefire long ago.
(PHILADELPHIA, P.A., 1/15/2025) – The Philadelphia Chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the “long overdue” ceasefire deal to end the genocide in Gaza.
CAIR-Philadelphia acknowledged the pressure put by President-Elect Trump on all parties, reportedly including Netanyahu, to reach a deal and condemned President Biden for refusing to use American leverage to secure this agreement months ago, leading to thousands of unnecessary deaths.
CAIR-Philadelphia also today called for the incoming Trump administration to support a just, lasting peace by ensuring Israel’s compliance with the deal and pursuing the end of illegal occupation and oppression of the Palestinian people.
In a statement, CAIR Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu said:
“Thousands of Pennsylvania Palestinians, Muslims, and allies of all faiths who advocated for peace and justice are relieved today. This ceasefire could have been secured months ago, preventing thousands of unnecessary deaths and destruction. We will continue to hold our federal elected officials who failed to support a ceasefire and failed to uphold US law by sending arms to Israel during its destructive campaign. We will similarly hold the incoming administration accountable to upholding international law and will continue to advocate against the use of our tax dollars fueling Israel’s ongoing and unjust occupation of Palestinians, and indiscriminate targeting of civilians in Gaza, The West Bank, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon.”
According to the mediator Qatar, the agreement is set to be implemented in three phases, the first of which would last 42 days. The deal would deliver the first reprieve from the war and genocide for the people of Gaza in more than a year. The first phase will involve the exchange of captives and the withdrawal of the Israeli military from population centers in Gaza.
Negotiations to reach the second and third phases of a ceasefire agreement, intended to end the war, would begin on the 16th day of the implementation of the deal. President-Elect Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly exerted pressure on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to accept the deal.
SEE: What we know about emerging Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal | CNN
The Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza has led to the deaths of more than 45,000 people, including tens of thousands of women and children. According to the medical journal The Lancet, some 186,000 may have died since Israel’s invasion of Gaza began in October 2023. The Lancet also estimates that the death toll caused by direct Israeli military action in Gaza up to June 2024, was 64,260, 41 percent higher than recorded by the Palestinian health officials.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. 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-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Selim Tekelioglu, PhD; 617-401-5397 (mobile), atekelioglu@cair.com.
