CAIR CONDEMNS ISRAELI ‘MASSACRE’ OF CIVILIANS IN GAZA

U.N. asked to offer protection; U.S. urged to repudiate killings

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/8/06) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today condemned an Israeli “massacre” of 18 Palestinian civilians, including at least eight children, as they slept.

SEE: Israeli Tank Shells ‘Kill 18 Palestinians in Sleep’ (AP) http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article1962534.ece

SEE ALSO: Israel’s Gaza Shelling “Profoundly Shocking” - EU (Reuters) http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L08919604.htm

In a statement, CAIR said:

“This unconscionable and inexcusable massacre of Palestinian civilians must be condemned by every nation that seeks peace with justice in the Middle East. The United Nations must meet to devise a plan to protect the civilian populations of Gaza and the West Bank from Israel’s brutal actions. And the United States should not remain silent in the face of Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians. Lack of international action will only serve to escalate tensions in the entire region.”

According to a report released today, a third of Palestinians killed during recent Israeli attacks on Gaza have been minors.

SEE: Study: 57 Unarmed Palestinian Minors Killed By IDF Since June (Haaretz) http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/785063.html

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 32 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.