Demand Israel Release Former U.S. Congresswoman

Action Alert

Reinforcing its brutal and inhumane siege of Gaza, Israeli naval forces today intercepted a small aid boat carrying medical supplies and is transporting the 21 human rights workers who were aboard to the Israeli port of Ashdod, according to a statement by the Free Gaza Movement, owner of the boat "Spirit of Humanity." Former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and Noble laureate Mairead Maguire are among the captured.

"This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip," McKinney said in the statement. "President Obama just told Israel to let in humanitarian and reconstruction supplies, and that's exactly what we tried to do. We're asking the international community to demand our release so we can resume our journey."

The American Muslims for Palestine applauds the efforts of McKinney and others like her who are working to bring relief to the 1.5 million people who are "trapped in despair" because of Israel's siege, according to a new report by the International Society of the Red Cross. The blockade has shut down Gaza's economy; unemployment is staggering and more than 70 percent of Gazans are living in abject poverty. Israel's blockade has resulted in an 80 percent decrease in aid shipments allowed into Gaza.

AMP calls on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to demand from Israel the immediate release of McKinney and the other human rights workers. Amp calls on Mrs. Clinton to demand an immediate end to the blockade on Gaza. And AMP calls on members of Congress to back up these demands by stopping the free flow of U.S. taxpayer dollars to Israel.


ACTION
Call the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at 202.647.5291 (choose option 2) to demand the following:

• Ask Secretary Clinton to pressure Israel to release McKinney and the other human rights workers.
• Tell Mrs. Clinton Israel's blockade is inhumane and unjust and against all American principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Ask Mrs. Clinton to demand Israel lift the siege immediately.

The American Muslims for Palestine is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to educate the American public and media about issues relating to Palestine and its rich cultural heritage. For more information or to make a donation, call 888.404.4AMP.