The words "unconditional support" strike me as interesting. Does anyone know what our agreements are with the state of Israel? Are there certain guidelines, ala Geneva Convention and other treaties, that we are supposed to encourage the state of Israel to align themselves with? I know to some this is a trick question. Some would suggest that we don't abide by much, but that is another post.
Islamic Society of North America Statement Regarding the Crisis in LebanonI thought that this would be worth sharing as well. I know it is a Trib article, but what the heck. I don't make any money from this blog.(Plainfield, IN - 7/16/06) - The Islamic Society of North America is deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in the Middle East, and urges the US administration to act as a neutral broker in the conflict. The United States cannot continue to extend unconditional support for Israel, especially when they are committing illegal and immoral violent acts of collective punishment upon the people of Gaza and the sovereign nation of Lebanon. The American nation needs to take the lead in upholding international law in times of conflict. In the context of international terrorism, the United States has been especially concerned to convince nations and groups that targeting civilians to achieve political or strategic goals is a violation of morality and law. The United States must consider its own security to be paramount, and expressed support for Israeli attacks on civilian targets in this conflict destroys American credibility in the defense against terrorism.
We call upon President Bush to denounce Israel’s excessive and disproportionate use of force against the people of Lebanon that has left scores of civilians dead or wounded, and has targeted the most vital infrastructure, including the airport, roads, ports, and bridges, rendering the Lebanese people virtual prisoners in their own country. ISNA joins other Muslims and faith groups in calling for immediate, balanced, and decisive leadership from our administration in helping to resolve this current crisis between the Palestinians, Israel and Lebanon, and to work for a comprehensive cease fire.
On a moral and even legal level, it is unconscionable and unethical, as well as a violation of the Geneva Convention that an entire population be punished through actions such cutting off electricity or food, while holding them prisoner by cutting off access to borders or travel. This immoral policy which began in Gaza has now been extended to a sovereign nation, in an attack that began by targeting the very symbol of that sovereignty, the airport. Israel has openly and brazenly stated its intent to turn Lebanon - an ally whom we were recently defending against Syrian intervention - back twenty years. Innocent civilians have been the main victims of this blitzkrieg, and an entire population of the people Lebanon now join the people of Gaza in being subjected to collective punishment for the actions of a few.
The Palestinian struggle for dignity and independence and the Israeli struggle for security is long-standing and will never be resolved by force. Over the last few decades, thousands of people, Arab Christians and Muslims in Lebanon and Palestine and Israeli Jews have been harmed or killed in violent conflict. The death of more people will not further the cause of peace and security.
If there is any hope for resolving this crisis and working to achieve an effective cease fire, and preventing the spread of this conflict which could lead to an all out regional war, it must be done quickly, and with fairness to all parties. All troops must be brought back into their own territories and halt all attacks upon their neighbors. All captives of this recent conflict should be returned unharmed. Every effort should be made to restore normal living conditions to affected civilian populations. The world cannot afford an all-out war in the Middle East and so we must join together for an all-out effort for peace.
Chicago Muslims, Members of the Lebanese Community, Speak OutPosted by tripp at July 27, 2006 09:16 PMBy Margaret Ramirez
Tribune religion reporter
Published July 20, 2006, 3:40 PM
With a mix of emotions ranging from worry to rage, Chicago's Muslim leaders joined members of the Lebanese community to speak about the violence in their homeland and called on the United States to halt the violence.
Christina Abraham, a De Paul University law student, described frantic phone conversations with her family in Lebanon. She said Israeli forces bombed the predominately Christian neighborhood of Ashrafiya, where her aunt and cousins live. She said her cousins were trapped for days in an underground bomb shelter, unsure if they would survive the battle raging between Israel and Hezbollah."To kill hundreds of civilians for the sake of two captured Israeli soldiers--who are still alive--is to desecrate the sanctity of human life," said Abraham, 25, who is also civil rights coordinator for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago. "Israel justifies this attack by saying they are targeting Hezbollah. But the Beirut airport is not Hezbollah. The medical supply trucks are not Hezbollah. The children that are dying are not Hezbollah.”
Abraham spoke at a press conference at Chicago's Downtown Islamic Center organized by CAIR. As the conflict in Lebanon continues, Muslim community leaders in Chicago said many Lebanese Americans are feeling disappointed and betrayed by the U.S. failure to call a cease-fire.
Ahmed Rehab, executive director of the CAIR chapter in Chicago, said U.S. actions give the impression the administration uses a double standard for Arab-Americans.
"The unwillingness to call for a cease-fire gives the impression that the administration places less value on the lives of American citizens of Arab descent and are therefore not worthy of protection from Israeli state terrorism. The administration should have one standard regarding the value of life and one definition of terrorism," Rehab said.
According to the Association of Religion Data Archives, about 60 percent of Lebanon's religious population is Muslim and 37 percent is Christian. The remaining communities belong to the Jewish and Bahai faiths. There are approximately 25,000 U.S. citizens in Lebanon, most of them of Arab or Muslim descent.
Chicago's Muslim and Arab communities plan to rally in support of Lebanon and Palestine Saturday at noon in front of the Tribune Tower at 435 N. Michigan Ave.
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