Muslim group urges disengaging policy from 'dictates' of pro-Israel lobby
WASHINGTON, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on American-Islamic
Relations (CAIR) today called the Bush administration's decision to rush
delivery of precision-guided bombs to Israel "unconscionable."
The New York Times reported today that Israel requested the expedited
shipment of satellite and laser-guided bombs last week after beginning its
massive bombing campaign against Lebanon's civilian infrastructure.
SEE: U.S. Speeds Up Bomb Delivery for the Israelis (NY Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/22/world/middleeast/22military.html
Israeli attacks on Lebanon have already killed hundreds of civilians.
Attacks by air, land and sea have destroyed bridges, roads, electrical
networks, airports, port facilities, and other civilian infrastructure in
an Israeli attempt to "turn back the clock in Lebanon by 20 years."
(Israeli Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz issued the threat to destroy Lebanon's
infrastructure.)
Israel today targeted transmission towers for television stations and
mobile phones in northern Lebanon. Some 500,000 Lebanese have been forced
from their homes under threat of death from Israeli attacks. (Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice said Friday that the current conflict represents
"the birth pangs of a new Middle East.")
SEE: Rice Wants Ceasefire That Helps Forge 'New Middle East'
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=800044c5-ad93-4484-84
f1-c23e3eb9568c
In a statement, CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed said:
"It is unconscionable that our government would rush weapons to a state
engaged in vicious and indiscriminate attacks on the civilians and civilian
infrastructure of a friendly nation. Thousands of our nation's citizens
also remain in Lebanon facing death or injury from these American
taxpayer-supplied weapons.
"The baffling decision to assist in the destruction of a nation that
has been held up as a model of democratic reform can only serve to harm our
long- term interests in the region. Aiding attacks on civilian targets in
Lebanon also calls into question our nation's commitment to fighting
terrorism in all its forms.
"America must disengage its Middle East policy from the self-serving
dictates of the pro-Israel lobby. Failure to do so will allow Israel to
once again drag our nation into its self-perpetuating cycle of hatred and
conflict."
SEE: The Truth About the Israel Lobby's Influence (Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/12/AR200607120
1627.html
Ahmed added that many legal experts say Israel is in violation of
international law and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act for using American
weapons to target Lebanon's civilians and civilian infrastructure. He said
CAIR has reached out to the Bush administration to offer the American
Muslim community's help in achieving a just and comprehensive solution to
the conflict.
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 32 offices,
chapters and affiliates 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.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair-net.org
SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations
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Related links:
http://www.cair-net.org
CONTACT:
Ibrahim Hooper, CAIR National Communications
Director, +1-202-488-8787, +1-202-744-7726, ihooper@cair-net.org
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