Muslim leaders ignore plight of Palestinian political prisoners to ask for Shalit’s release
ACTION ALERT
On Aug. 26, against the backdrop of more than 5,500 Palestinian political prisoners languishing in Israeli prisons, two U.S. congressmen, three professors and several leaders of the American Muslim community wrote a letter to Khaled Meshaal, the exiled leader of the political arm of Hamas, asking for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Using Ramadan as the motivation for seeking Shalit’s release, congressmen Keith Ellison and Andre Carson; professors Amina McCloud, Khaled Abou El Fadl and Omid Safi; imams Abdullah Antepli and Feisal Abdul Rauf; and scholars Dr. Sayyid Syeed and Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl invoked the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to exhort Gaza’s political leadership to a “higher calling,” by releasing the prisoner, the American Muslims for Palestine recently learned.
“Hamas’ inhumane detention of Shalit undermines the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations for human rights and a state of their own, existing in peace and security beside Israel,” the letter states.
READ THE LETTER
The American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) is outraged to learn that respected elected officials, religious leaders and professors would advocate for a member of an illegal military occupation force that is responsible for human rights abuses and crimes against humanity while ignoring the plight of thousands of Palestinians being held by the Israeli military court system. Hundreds of children, some of whom were born in jail and have never been released, and dozens of women are languishing behind bars in substandard conditions. Hundreds are being held in administrative detentions, without being charged, without due process, and without ever having committed a single crime. And hundreds have been sentenced for life. For such a call to be legitimate, these officials and leaders need to look into the suffering of the more than 5,550 Palestinian political prisoners of war with one eye while looking at the suffering of a jailed soldier with the other. As Americans, we should promote the values of justice and equality for all people, regardless of faith, nationality. skin color or political interests.
TAKE ACTION
Read the letter, educate yourself on prisoner facts, and then call the co-signers and ask them to contact Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren to demand he pressure Israel to release the following political prisoners: Women and children; the elderly and infirm, those in administrative detention being held despite lack of charges; and the 20 duly elected members of the Palestinian legislature. Furthermore, ask these co-signers to demand Ambassador Oren pressure Israel to life the siege on Gaza.
Read the Letter
Learn the Facts:
According to Jerusalem-based Addameer, a prisoner and human rights association, 5,554 Palestinians were imprisoned at the end of July 2011.
Of these:
- 647 were from the Gaza Strip;
- 211 were children; 39 were younger than 16;
- 136 have been imprisoned for more than 20 years;
- 35 were women and
- 20 were members of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
All told, from April 1 to June 30, Israeli military and police forces arrested 845 Palestinians, a 1.2 percent increase over the first quarter and a 4.7 percent increase over the same period in 2010. Many of the children were born in prison.
In June, Israeli Prime Minister declared detention conditions in Israeli prisons were “over generous.” He implemented a series of measures, including prohibiting education to children, a gross violation of international law.
Call the co-signers
Representative Keith Ellison Fifth District, Minnesota 202.225.4755 Representative Andre Carson Seventh District, Indiana 202.225.4011 |
Representative Andre Carson |
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf |
Dr. Aminah McCloud |
Dr. Sayyid Syeed |
Ambassador Akbar Ahmed |
Imam Abdullah Antepli |
Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl |