(WASHINGTON, DC – 4/17/2022) – The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), the nation’s largest umbrella group for American Muslim organizations, today called on the Biden Administration to condemn and take action to stop the Israeli apartheid government’s ongoing violence against Palestinian worshippers and desecration of the Al-Aqsa mosque compound during the holy month of Ramadan.
Over the past week, Israeli occupation forces have repeatedly attacked Palestinian worshipers at Al-Aqsa, which is the third holiest site in Islam. Video footage has shown Israeli troops shoving, beating, and shooting at unarmed Palestinians at the compound, including women and journalists. Israeli troops also fired tear gas and detonated concussive grenades inside the compound, and shattered ancient ornate windows at one of its mosques. The Israeli attacks injured 150 Palestinians, and new attacks occurred today.
Last Friday, the U.S. State Department responded to the violence by issuing a statement:
“The United States is deeply concerned by the violence in Jerusalem today on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. We call on all sides to exercise restraint, avoid provocative actions and rhetoric, and preserve the historic status quo on the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. We urge Palestinian and Israeli officials to work cooperatively to lower tensions and ensure the safety of everyone.”
In a statement, USCMO Executive Director Oussama Jammal said:
“Enough is enough. Attacking Palestinian worshipers at the sacred Al-Aqsa during the holy month of Ramadan is becoming an annual, ritualized exercise for the Israeli government. The American Muslim community calls on the Biden Administration to stop enabling the Israeli government’s escalating violence against the Palestinian people and its repeated desecration of one of Islam’s holiest sites.
“By releasing Orwellian statements that vaguely call for ‘both sides’ to exercise restraint, the State Department tells the Israeli government that it can act with impunity and tells Americans who care about Palestinian human rights that our concerns do not matter to the White House.
“Just as the Biden Administration has shown the ability to recognize, condemn and oppose Russian war crimes against Ukrainians, Administration must recognize, condemn and oppose Israeli’s war crimes against Palestinians.”
