The Florida Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL), today condemned both an Israeli massacre of at least 20 Palestinian worshippers praying in the ruins of a Gaza mosque previously destroyed by Israel and a similar massacre of 15 people at a UN-run school sheltering displaced Palestinians.
In a statement, CAIR-FL’s Executive Director Imam Abdullah Jaber said:
“As disparities deepen and Americans struggle with basic necessities, our government remains deaf, dumb, and blind to our suffering. Instead of serving its citizens, it silences their voices and prioritizes a racist genocidal entity’s war crimes, funneling billions of our tax dollars and unconditional military support. This is not a government by the people, for the people, but one by Israel, for Israel. Our elected officials are the greatest threat to democracy.”
Imam Jaber added, “US military aid to Israel must stop. Netanyahu and Israeli military leaders must be tried before the International Criminal Court for genocide. Palestinians must be free.”
Israel has slaughtered almost 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children. Other estimates put the total death toll at 186,000. The vast majority of Gazans have been driven from their homes.
CAIR called on President Biden to “stop enabling” the mass slaughter of Palestinian civilians after Israel killed at least 90 Palestinians and wounded hundreds in strikes on the al-Mawasi “safe zone” in Gaza.
[NOTE: Al-Mawasi, where Palestinians forced from their homes across Gaza sought shelter, was designated as a “safe humanitarian zone” by the Israeli military.]
CAIR-FL also condemns a newly-reported decision by the Biden administration not to sanction an Israeli army unit despite evidence of gross human rights abuses it committed against Palestinian civilians, including the murder of an elderly Palestinian-American. CNN quoted a former member of the unit who said: “A lot of us probably did not see Arabs, Palestinians in particular, as someone with rights – okay, like they’re really the occupier of some of the land and they need to be moved.”
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: Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, CAIR-FL Media and Outreach Director, Ph. (305) 502-6749, E: [email protected]