AMP demands US hold Israel accountable for attack in international waters

(CHICAGO 05/31/2010) – In response to Israel’s deadly aggression in international waters against a flotilla of civil resistance volunteers bringing humanitarian and medical aid to besieged Gaza, the American Muslims for Palestine has organized protests across the country.

The rallies and demonstrations will take place Monday and Tuesday in Detroit, Sacramento, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Washington DC, Boston, Miami and New Haven, CT.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Protest rallies taking place Monday and Tuesday throughout the country

(CHICAGO 05/31/2010) – In response to Israel’s deadly aggression in international waters against a flotilla of civil resistance volunteers bringing humanitarian and medical aid to besieged Gaza, the American Muslims for Palestine has organized protests across the country.

The rallies and demonstrations will take place Monday and Tuesday in Detroit, Sacramento, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Washington DC, Boston, Miami and New Haven, CT.

On Sunday, while most Americans were enjoying a holiday weekend, Israel commandeered five humanitarian aid vessels, killing 16 unarmed volunteers and wounding more than 50, according to published reports.

In international waters, Israel attacked the Freedom Flotilla, which was taking 10,000 tons of donated humanitarian and medical supplies, such as motorized wheelchairs, to the Palestinians of Gaza, which Israel has held under total siege for more than three years.  People of conscious across the globe were horrified at the scene that played out before them on a satellite feed direct from the deck of the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara.

The American Muslims for Palestine condemns Israel’s actions in the strongest possible terms. Israel attacked the flotilla even though the five ships had changed course to avoid a night-time confrontation, according to organizers of the effort.

“Israel’s actions increases Arab and Muslim mistrust the United States, thus further eroding our standing in the world at this critical time in our nation’s history,” said Dr. Hatem Bazian, AMP Chairman and Professor of Near Eastern and Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. “Israel’s actions prove once again that it is a strategic liability to the United States and only complicates U.S. relations with the rest of the world.”

Israel will continue its illegal, inhumane and aggressive actions as long as the United States continues to send it more than $3 billion in unconditional military aid. It is time for President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of Congress to put U.S. interests before Israel’s.
It is imperative for the United States to finally stand up for the values upon which this country was founded and to tell Israel it has gone too far. AMP calls on the White House and Congress to hold Israel accountable by cutting off foreign aid. AMP calls on President Obama, Secretary Clinton and members of Congress to release the flotilla prisoners they captured illegally in international waters, to lift the siege on Gaza and to end the illegal, unjust and inhumane occupation of Palestine.

Interviews available.

Contact:

Dr. Hatem Bazian
Chairman, AMP
Professor of Near Eastern and Ethnic Studies
University of California, Berkeley
510.914.6722
[email protected]

Munjed Ahmad, Esq.
Vice chairman, AMP
Attorney at Law, Milwaukee
414.467.5452
[email protected]

Awad Hamdan
AMP Chicago Chairman
National Programs Director
773.951.2020
[email protected]