AMP decries latest murders in Gaza; Calls on US to hold Israel accountable

(CHICAGO 03/09/2012) -- The American Muslims for Palestine condemns with vehement outrage Israel’s targeted executions of at least 10 Palestinians and the bombardment of populated areas in the Gaza Strip. These assassinations and assaults are in direct contravention of international law and exhibit an utter immoral disregard for the sanctity of human life.    

Palestinian journalists within Gaza are reporting on Twitter frequent explosions and the non-stop presence of American-made F16 fighter jets and Apache helicopters hovering overhead. Among the dead are Zuher Qaisi, Mahmoud Hanani, Ahmed Harara, Obaida AlGarabli, Hazem Qreiqe', Shadi Seiqali, Fayeq Sa'd, Ahmed and Mo'tasem Hajaj, according to unconfirmed reports.    

Palestinians in Gaza have been under total siege since 2007. They live in a tiny strip of land that is bordered on one side by the Mediterranean Sea, while the Apartheid Wall cages them in along their 1967 border. Gaza is one of the most densely populated places in the world; firing missiles and rockets into this enclosed area is like shooting fish in a barrel.    

AMP decries this unholy use of force by Israeli Occupation Forces and calls on President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to immediately demand Israeli officials cease the military actions that have resulted in the murders of Palestinians. Allowing Israeli occupation authorities to continue on their ill-fated path to ethnically cleanse Palestine of Palestinians with their assassinations and bombardment of civilian populations is inhumane, unjust and illegal.    

The United States must at once adhere to our American core values of liberty; freedom and the sanctity of life and demand Israeli occupation forces comply with international law and abide by the same standards of human rights we demand of other countries around the world. Allowing Israel to act as a rogue state and bully in the Middle East hurts US standing in the global community and threatens our national security. The United States must finally include Palestinians in our firm American belief that all people were created equal and hold Israel accountable for this latest rounds of executions; and must tie our foreign aid to Israel’s compliance with international law by ending the siege on Gaza, ending the occupation, allowing Palestinian refugees their individually guaranteed rights to return home and afford Palestinian citizens of Israel their full and equal civil rights.