(WASHINGTON, D.C. – 1/29/2025) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, its California chapter (CAIR-CA), and its Florida chapter (CAIR-FL) today welcomed the news that the American medical professionals previously prevented from leaving Gaza by Israeli authorities have been allowed to exit safely.
SEE: U.S.-based doctors performing life-saving surgeries in Gaza allowed to leave after Israeli blockade
A group of 11 doctors and nurses volunteering on a medical mission to Gaza, including three from California and one from Florida, were originally scheduled to leave on Thursday, Jan. 23, through the Karam Abu Salem crossing but were prevented by the Israeli government from departing as planned.
After nearly a week, the medical professionals’ exit was rescheduled and they were allowed to leave Gaza safely and cross into Jordan yesterday, Jan. 28.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“We welcome the news that the 11 medical professionals have safely left Gaza. Unfortunately, this is not the first time this sort of incident has happened; the Israeli government has a pattern of intimidating humanitarian and medical workers and putting their safety and lives at risk.
“Our government is responsible for prioritizing the safety of its citizens, especially when their safety is at risk due to a foreign power. The complete inaction we’ve seen from both the Biden administration and the Trump administration to protect medical workers providing urgently needed care in Gaza is shameful and absolutely unacceptable.”
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“We are thankful to receive the news that the American medical professionals, including three local doctors from California, were allowed to safely exit Gaza and begin their journey back home. It has been a challenging time for their family, friends, and colleagues, who are deeply concerned about their well-being and are anxious to have their loved ones home safely.
“This has been a clear tactic by the Israeli government to instill fear and deter others from coming to provide urgently needed medical aid to civilians. The need for medical assistance in Gaza continues to be dire, and we continue to call on all local, state, and federal elected officials to ensure all medical professionals can continue their humanitarian work without risk to their own lives from Israeli authorities.”
In a statement, CAIR-FL Executive Director Abdullah Jaber said:
“We’re relieved these courageous doctors made it out safely, but let’s not kid ourselves—this wasn’t some bureaucratic mishap. The Israeli government chose to block them, to stand in the way of lifesaving care, while our own government did nothing. That’s not just negligence, that’s complicity.
“If America stands for justice, then we can’t sit on the sidelines while humanitarian workers are treated like criminals. We will not plead for basic decency; we will not accept empty excuses. The world needs to see this for what it is—every stalled exit, every denied entry, every innocent life lost because of this blockade is not just a tragedy. It’s a crime. And history will remember exactly who let it happen.”
About CAIR-Florida:
CAIR-Florida is the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, foster dialogue, safeguard civil liberties for all, empower American Muslims, and form coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR-Florida es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, (202) 770-6280, [email protected]; CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or [email protected]; CAIR-FL Media Director Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, (305) 502-6749, [email protected]