November 20, 2023
Plainfield, Indiana
ISNA Condemns Continuing Israeli Air Strikes
Israeli strikes continue in Gaza as we write this statement. More than 13,000 precious lives, most of them women and children, have been lost as the Israeli strikes enter their seventh week. The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) strongly condemns these strikes and is deeply disturbed by the loss of innocent lives in Gaza and Israel. ISNA is extremely disturbed by the disproportionate Israeli strikes and remains deeply disappointed by the Biden administration’s lack of empathy and concern for the Palestinian people. There has been displacement of over a million Gazans and the wanton destruction of countless homes, mosques, and hospitals. The United States government has refused to exert any meaningful pressure on Israel to cease its war on an innocent and defenseless population. As a country, we have failed to restore America’s moral leadership on the world stage, which was a promise made at the outset of President Biden’s term.
While ISNA appreciates President Biden’s response to the alarming rise of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, we believe he has a responsibility to do much more in this ongoing crisis.
The Biden administration should call for a humanitarian ceasefire, immediately suspend all military support for Israel, and continue its efforts to free all hostages held by Hamas. Also, given the targeting of pro-Palestinian activists and student groups on university campuses in America, President Biden should protect and support the right of activists to peacefully protest around the country without fear of retribution. No American should live in fear of losing their job, not finding employment, or being silenced at a university for exercising their constitutional right to assemble and protest peacefully.
These actions, we believe, can go a long way in reassuring our community and all those who are concerned about the horrific and deteriorating situation in Gaza. We cannot wait anymore or sit idly by as our nation continues to endorse unimaginable pain and suffering against the innocent people of Gaza. The time for action is now. ISNA commends the UN Security Council’s adoption of resolution 2712, calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza to allow full and rapid access for UN agencies and partners.