As the humanitarian crisis in Palestine continues, and with it the rising death toll of thousands of innocent civilians in Gaza and near-universal calls for a permanent ceasefire now, we ask that you watch the informative discussion that we had with Mona Ali Khalil, former Senior Legal Officer in the UN Office of the Legal Counsel and in the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs and Founder-Director of MAK Law International — a conversation that was part of our multi-speaker series about “A New Approach to the Palestinian Struggle” and one that is still relevant today.
“The United States denies the Palestinian plight while supporting Israeli aggression. Instead of ending the bloodshed, the U.S. makes deals with Arab nations to support Israel, fueling Palestinian frustration and violence. As a fundamental player in the occupation, the U.S. must address both the current war and the occupation.”
– Salam Al-Marayati, MPAC President
In the past year, Israel has directly and indirectly killed approximately 114,000 Palestinians, according to the Costs of War Project at Brown University. This includes 41,615 confirmed deaths reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health, an estimated 10,000 buried under rubble, and about 62,413 who have starved to death. Additionally, 60 percent of buildings and nearly all road-systems in Gaza have been destroyed, making the retrieval of dead and injured people near-impossible. This genocide has been carried out with support from the US, costing taxpayers an estimated $17.9 billion, according to the Costs of War Project. Israel has also destroyed infrastructure for the creation and distribution of food, water, and medical supplies, exacerbating an already devastating reality.
At home in the U.S., American Muslims face hate-motivated violence, doxxing, discrimination, and the curtailing of civil liberties, amidst the backdrop of the deliberate conflation of violence and antisemitism with peaceful calls for a ceasefire. This misrepresentation activates the national security apparatus and sanctions crackdowns on political dissent both on students on University campuses and on the streets when exercising our protected right to protest. This systemic bias erodes the rights and dignity of American Muslims, fostering an atmosphere of fear and hostility and nurtures a culture of collective punishment.
As we confront this crisis, it is important to examine the contributing factors to this situation, particularly the US’s inadequate response to Israel’s gruesome human rights violations. The Administration’s response has been confined to words rather than a meaningful change in policy signaling to Israeli leadership that they can continue their defiance of US law prohibiting the use of American-made weapons on civilian populations. However, continuing to blindly support Israel without holding them accountable jeopardizes the safety of Americans both at home and abroad.
The US government must reassess its policies in the Middle East and prioritize its national security as it will lead to increased hostility and anti-American sentiments in the region. Failure to do so risks further erosion of America’s credibility, reputation, and influence on the global stage, as the situation in the Middle East is perceived as heavily biased and America untrustworthy in the eyes of other nations.
Israel’s flaunting of US and international law have contributed to heightened tensions in the region, leading to instability that directly impacts US interests and personnel stationed in the Middle East. It has also isolated the United States from the rest of the world, leading to historic highs for anti-American sentiment.
America’s substantial contributions to Israel’s military capabilities and economic subsidies have not been reciprocated with actions that align with U.S. national interests. Israel, despite being the largest recipient of military and financial aid from the US, has frequently acted in ways that run counter to American interests and partnerships in the region. This has transformed Israel into a strategic liability for the U.S.
The US government’s unwavering support for Israel has shielded it from accountability in international forums such as the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, damaging America’s credibility and reputation in the international community as a leader of justice and human rights.
Israel’s aggressive military campaigns and threats against Arab and Muslim-majority countries have escalated tensions and increased the risk of a wider conflict. The US is on the brink of a world war against 1.5 billion people in Muslim-majority countries.
The US government’s alignment with Israel’s policies based on a weaponized interpretation of biblical scripture undermines the principles of separation of church and state, democratic values, and America’s role as a champion of human rights.
Blind support for Israel’s policies has led to the suppression of dissenting voices within the US, including arrests of students and citizens who resist the Biden Administration’s backing of Israeli violations of international law.
The list of violations of international law and lack of adherence to basic human rights has undermined US credibility, moving countries closer to rival superpowers.
We leveraged outdoor billboards around the country to amplify the experiences of Palestinians and inform fellow Americans unaware of the atrocities in Gaza.
Billboards
Cities
Impressions
MPAC provides a critically-needed American Muslim perspective on important policy developments domestically and internationally.
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