CAIR Action Alert #529

Action: Urge Congress to Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 01/21/08) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called on American Muslims and other people of
conscience to urge their elected officials to immediately intervene to
put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The crisis was triggered by an Israeli-imposed blockade Sunday
evening, which forced the closure of the only electric plant that
serves Gaza City's 400,000 residents and one third of the Gaza Strip's
1.5 millions residents. The blockade prevents the entry of fuel that
is essential to the operation of the plant.

SEE: Gaza Dark Amid Israeli Blockade (LA times)

Gaza is already suffering from economic hardship, which according to
the World Bank, is primarily a result of being cut off from the rest
of the world by Israel. Without power, hospitals, water facilities and
other crucial lifelines may completely shut off and homes may be left
without heat, plunging Gaza into disarray.

On Monday, the U.N. said it would suspend food distribution to 860,000
Palestinians unless Israel eased the blockade imposed on Friday in
response to rocket fire from Gaza. The World Food Program, which
distributes food to another 270,000 Gaza residents warned that it too
would have to suspend operations by Thursday due to lack of fuel.

A European Union (EU) official termed Israel's blockade "collective
punishment," a practice banned by international law. "I have made
clear that I am against this collective punishment of the people of
Gaza," said EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
(Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: "No protected
person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally
committed.")

SEE: U.N. Agency Says May Have to Halt Gaza Food Handout (Reuters)

In a statement CAIR said:

"Because American taxpayers provide Israel with billions of dollars of
economic support each year, we have the right and the responsibility
to demand that Israel abide by American and universal human rights
standards and end its practice of collective punishment against the
Palestinian populations. Such practice amounts to war crimes.

"Silence from American officials will only serve to increase the
sentiment worldwide that our nation cares little for the suffering of
the Palestinian people.

"The perception that the U.S. abets cruel and inhumane treatment of
civilian populations provides fodder for anti-Americanism that may
threaten the security of the United States."

According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2007, "Israel
[retains] effective day-to-day control over most key aspects of life
in Gaza, including ingress and egress and thus the economy."

Seventy-nine percent of Gaza households live under the poverty line,
40 percent suffer from unemployment and almost half the population in
the Gaza Strip is made up of children.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 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.

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED:

1. CONTACT your elected officials (one U.S. Representative and 2 U.S.
Senators) and ask them to call for an end to the Israeli blockade of
Gaza, and a full restoration of the essential services. Call, fax, and
email.

Click here to find your representative:

Talking points:

*As your constituent, I urge you to call for an immediate end to the
illegal Israeli blockade in Gaza.

* Our nation and its leaders cannot and should not remain silent as an
illegal humanitarian disaster unfolds in Gaza. Collective punishment
is always counterproductive and only serves to block moves toward a
just resolution of any conflict.

* Because American taxpayers provide Israel with billions of dollars
of economic support each year, we have the right to demand that those
funds not be used to increase human suffering.

* Israel must abide by international law and universal standards of
human rights. We call on President Bush to demand the immediate end of
Israel's blockade.

* Silence from American officials will only serve to increase the
perception worldwide that our nation cares little for the suffering of
the Palestinian people.

* The perception that the U.S. abets cruel and inhumane treatment of
civilian populations provides fodder for anti-Americanism that may
threaten the security of the United States.

2. INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY by forwarding this alert to at least
five other people. Tell them you took action and ask them to do the
same.

-----

CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:

CAIR Action Alert #529

Action: Urge Congress to Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza

CAIR Action Alert #529

Action: Urge Congress to Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 01/21/08) - The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called on American Muslims and other people of
conscience to urge their elected officials to immediately intervene to
put an end to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The crisis was triggered by an Israeli-imposed blockade Sunday
evening, which forced the closure of the only electric plant that
serves Gaza City's 400,000 residents and one third of the Gaza Strip's
1.5 millions residents. The blockade prevents the entry of fuel that
is essential to the operation of the plant.

SEE: Gaza Dark Amid Israeli Blockade (LA times)

Gaza is already suffering from economic hardship, which according to
the World Bank, is primarily a result of being cut off from the rest
of the world by Israel. Without power, hospitals, water facilities and
other crucial lifelines may completely shut off and homes may be left
without heat, plunging Gaza into disarray.

On Monday, the U.N. said it would suspend food distribution to 860,000
Palestinians unless Israel eased the blockade imposed on Friday in
response to rocket fire from Gaza. The World Food Program, which
distributes food to another 270,000 Gaza residents warned that it too
would have to suspend operations by Thursday due to lack of fuel.

A European Union (EU) official termed Israel's blockade "collective
punishment," a practice banned by international law. "I have made
clear that I am against this collective punishment of the people of
Gaza," said EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.
(Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention states: "No protected
person may be punished for an offence he or she has not personally
committed.")

SEE: U.N. Agency Says May Have to Halt Gaza Food Handout (Reuters)

In a statement CAIR said:

"Because American taxpayers provide Israel with billions of dollars of
economic support each year, we have the right and the responsibility
to demand that Israel abide by American and universal human rights
standards and end its practice of collective punishment against the
Palestinian populations. Such practice amounts to war crimes.

"Silence from American officials will only serve to increase the
sentiment worldwide that our nation cares little for the suffering of
the Palestinian people.

"The perception that the U.S. abets cruel and inhumane treatment of
civilian populations provides fodder for anti-Americanism that may
threaten the security of the United States."

According to the Human Rights Watch World Report 2007, "Israel
[retains] effective day-to-day control over most key aspects of life
in Gaza, including ingress and egress and thus the economy."

Seventy-nine percent of Gaza households live under the poverty line,
40 percent suffer from unemployment and almost half the population in
the Gaza Strip is made up of children.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 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.

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS REQUESTED:

1. CONTACT your elected officials (one U.S. Representative and 2 U.S.
Senators) and ask them to call for an end to the Israeli blockade of
Gaza, and a full restoration of the essential services. Call, fax, and
email.

Click here to find your representative:

Talking points:

*As your constituent, I urge you to call for an immediate end to the
illegal Israeli blockade in Gaza.

* Our nation and its leaders cannot and should not remain silent as an
illegal humanitarian disaster unfolds in Gaza. Collective punishment
is always counterproductive and only serves to block moves toward a
just resolution of any conflict.

* Because American taxpayers provide Israel with billions of dollars
of economic support each year, we have the right to demand that those
funds not be used to increase human suffering.

* Israel must abide by international law and universal standards of
human rights. We call on President Bush to demand the immediate end of
Israel's blockade.

* Silence from American officials will only serve to increase the
perception worldwide that our nation cares little for the suffering of
the Palestinian people.

* The perception that the U.S. abets cruel and inhumane treatment of
civilian populations provides fodder for anti-Americanism that may
threaten the security of the United States.

2. INFORM YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY by forwarding this alert to at least
five other people. Tell them you took action and ask them to do the
same.

-----

CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail:

CAIR Action Alert #529

Action: Urge Congress to Halt Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza