Articles
Muslim-American Activism, Page 44
American Muslims Launch Campaign to “Lift the Siege on Gaza”
THE AMERICAN Muslim Task Force (AMT), an umbrella group of 13 major American Muslim organizations, held a Jan. 19 press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC to focus attention on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by Israel’s continuing siege. AMT representatives previously met with Egyptian Embassy officials on Jan. 12 to discuss the underground barrier Egypt is building along its border with Gaza. When complete, the wall will be 100 feet deep and six miles long, shutting down the network of tunnels Gazans rely upon for much needed food, medicines and other humanitarian supplies, according to Kristin Szremski, communications director for American Muslims for Palestine (AMP).
While Egyptian officials said the tunnels were a threat to Egyptian national security, an AMP representative pointed out that if Egypt opened its Rafah border and allowed the free flow of goods and humanitarian aid into Gaza, Egypt could monitor those shipments more closely. If the border were open, there would be no need for the tunnels—which are extremely dangerous for the Palestinians working in them—and they could be shut down.
During the press conference, Szremski called on Cairo to “return to its historical position of supporting the human rights and self-determination of the Palestinian people.” Szremski also called on Egypt to open its Rafah border and halt construction of the wall.
Because U.S. support of Egypt’s new wall is weakening Washington’s stance as a peace partner, Szremski called on the American public to “partner with AMP and through increasing education and awareness on this issue to urge their elected officials to uphold American values of justice and fairness.” She said it is time to “hold Israel accountable and to demand Israel lift the siege on Gaza.”
Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), said it was unfortunate that an Arab country would participate in such a siege. While Muslim Americans understand Egypt’s right to protect its borders, Egypt should not prevent Gaza’s 1.5 million residents from traveling or importing goods. “Our U.S. government is participating in building this wall,” Awad added, making it hard to reach the hearts and minds of Muslims. “Ask President Barack Obama to lift the siege and freeze construction of settlements,” he urged. “We expect Egypt to put pressure on both [Israeli and Palestinian] sides for peace.”
Imam Mahdi Bray, executive director of Muslim American Society (MAS) Freedom Forum, reminded reporters that half a million Iraqi children died due to sanctions on their country. “Sanctions don’t work,” he stated. “Children are malnourished and dying in Gaza.” This is not a natural disaster like in Haiti, Bray pointed out: “This is a man-made catastrophe...In the 21st century no human being should have to live like the people of Gaza.”
Ibrahim Ramey, MAS director of human and civil rights, noted that international laws are being violated by collectively punishing Gaza’s civilian population. “Israel and Egypt are the first and second largest recipients of U.S. military and economic aid in the world,” he said. “It’s within our power to stop the siege. The fate of the people in Gaza rests on the United States. International law does mean something. Do the right thing.”
Dr. Zahid Bukhari, president of the Islamic Circle of North America, described the slow bleeding to death not of a person, but of a nation. Instead of sending the U.S. Army to help as we do in response to hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes, the Georgetown professor said, “we see the opposite behavior from our government. Our government should be consistent and help people when a constant tsunami is going on in Gaza.” Are we trying to crush the human spirit of Gazans?, Bukhari asked, concluding that “Gazans have the right to live.
—Delinda C. Hanley
