Instead of expressing condolences to innocent Jewish victims, the United States Council of Muslim Organizations, which bills itself as the “largest American Muslim civil society umbrella organization,” issued a statement urging Arab countries that had normalized relations with the Jewish state to reconsider.
“The recent unprovoked and continuous attacks by Israel on Palestinian towns, cities and refugee camps have resulted in tragic loss of Palestinian lives,” it stated.
“We condemn Israel’s targeted and indiscriminate killing of civilians, including innocent children, women and the elderly, and we denounce the inhumane siege imposed on the nearly 2 million inhabitants of Gaza, a clear violation of international law and an implied declaration of open war on the Palestinians which oblige them to be in constant self-defense,” it added.
The group, whose statement did not even mention the terrorist attacks against Israel, called on the U.S. government, “which provides military, economic, financial, political, diplomatic, and limitless support to Israel, to exert pressure on the occupation regime to immediately cease these atrocities.”
“Furthermore, we urge Arab and Muslim countries that have normalized relations with Israel to reconsider their approach in pursuit of peace and stability in the region,” the group added. “We must remember that the concept of ‘land for peace’ has been long proposed, only to be ignored and dismissed by Israel, causing humiliation and disgrace to those who proposed it.”
“In solidarity with the Palestinian people and in the spirit of international justice, we call upon the United States government, Arab and Muslim governments and the global community to exert maximum pressure on Israel to halt its provocations and adhere to international demands to respect Palestinian rights to their lands, properties and lives,” the statement concluded. “Only when these rights are recognized can genuine and lasting peace be achieved for all parties involved.”
The umbrella group’s founders include American Muslims for Palestine, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Islamic Circle of North America, Muslim Alliance in North America, Muslim American Society, Muslim Legal Fund of America, Muslim Ummah of North America and The Mosque Cares (the ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed).
