TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) criticized New Jersey elected officials for their apparent indifference to the suffering of Palestinians amid recent clashes in Gaza. The organization is now planning local protests across the Garden State, according to a release issued this weekend.
According to CAIR-NJ, in their opinion, in the recent conflict escalation, Israeli forces reportedly killed 232 and injured 1,600 in the Gaza strip. This was a counteraction to a Hamas operation that resulted in the death of 250 Israelis. The latter had initiated their attack as a backlash against the Israeli Defense Forces’ activities at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem and the ongoing Gaza blockade.
CAIR did not offer any condolences or condemnation against Israeli women and children.
The group said the United Nations labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank as “violations of international law” and barriers to achieving peace.
Several New Jersey officials voiced their support for Israel’s actions.
The New Jersey chapter of American Muslim in Palestine has publicized protests in New Jersey, collaborating with groups like The People’s Forum and Al-Awda.
Dina Sayedahmed, CAIR-NJ Communications Manager, expressed the organization’s stance on the issue. She emphasized CAIR-NJ’s longstanding condemnation of Israel’s occupation of Palestine and criticized local officials for their one-sided support, which doesn’t resonate with the significant contributions of Palestinian American families in the state.
She called upon officials to recognize the rights and struggles of the Palestinians similarly to how they acknowledged those of the Ukrainians.
Furthermore, the organization highlighted the importance of consulting with human rights lawyers from the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights to gain a deeper understanding of the situation.
Echoing CAIR-NJ’s sentiment, the National Lawyers Guild affirmed the Palestinian people’s right to resist unlawful military occupation and urged the U.S. to reconsider its support for Israel.