(Washington, D.C. – 10/7/2023) – The United States Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) reaffirms its unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to freedom from the Israeli occupation. The recent unprovoked and continuous attacks by Israel on Palestinian towns, cities, and refugee camps have resulted in tragic loss of Palestinian lives. We condemn Israel’s targeted and indiscriminate killing of civilians, including innocent children, women, and the elderly, and we denounce the inhumane siege imposed on the nearly 2 million inhabitants of Gaza, a clear violation of international law and an implied declaration of open war on the Palestinians which oblige them to be in constant self-defense.
The silence surrounding these grave injustices is nothing short of complacency. It is our firm belief that justice is the cornerstone of lasting peace. No security measures can bring true peace in the absence of justice.
We call upon the United States government, which provides military, economic, financial, political, diplomatic, and limitless support to Israel, to exert pressure on the occupation regime to immediately cease these atrocities. It is evident that the longstanding policy of unbridled support for Israel has failed to bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians. To achieve stability in the region, a serious reevaluation of a fair and balanced policy is imperative.
Furthermore, we urge Arab and Muslim countries that have normalized relations with Israel to reconsider their approach in pursuit of peace and stability in the region. We must remember that the concept of “land for peace” has been long proposed, only to be ignored and dismissed by Israel, causing humiliation and disgrace to those who proposed it. Normalizing relations should never come at the expense of the Palestinian people’s rights to their lands. There can be no true peace that disregards the sanctity and Muslim rights of the Aqsa Mosque and Al-Quds Alshareef. These holy places belong to the 1.7 billion Muslims worldwide and should never be disregarded or dismissed. We hold the Muslim countries, individually and collectively, responsible for the safety and sanctity of Al-Quds and the holy places.
In solidarity with the Palestinian people and in the spirit of international justice, we call upon the United States government, Arab and Muslim governments, and the global community to exert maximum pressure on Israel to halt its provocations and adhere to international demands to respect Palestinian rights to their lands, properties, and lives. Only when these rights are recognized can genuine and lasting peace be achieved for all parties involved.
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