ISNA Urges Obama Administration to Demand Israelis, Palestinians to Accept Egyptian-Proposed Ceasefire
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), calls on President Obama and his Administration to demand that both Israelis and Palestinians to accept the Egyptian-proposed cease fire. This latest cycle of violence was prompted by the murder of three Israeli teenagers and revenge killing of a Palestinian youth.
Israel since last week, has been relentlessly bombing and shelling the Gaza strip, claiming the lives of nearly 200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and more than 1,100 wounded. Israel has reported two civilian injuries following hundreds rockets fired from Gaza. Both actions according to human rights organizations, constitute a gross violation of international humanitarian law.
News reports indicate that Israel may be preparing for a large ground incursion into the Gaza strip. Efforts must be made to prevent this escalation at all costs. Peace cannot be negotiated as long as violence ensues, and the region has already suffered far too much bloodshed. Provocation on one side only leads to retaliation from the other, and all efforts must be made to prevent further devastation on either side.
In a statement, ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid said:
"It is the responsibility of our government, who has been heavily involved in the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians, to take immediate action to end the senseless violence. We fear that the continued escalation of the conflict will only lead to more innocent lives lost. Therefore, it is imperative that all sides recommit their efforts to achieving and maintaining peace in the region. We ask all our fellow Americans to join us in praying for peace and pressuring our nation's government to take immediate action to stop the violence on all sides."
ISNA has been working with religious leaders for over 10 years through the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East (NILI), to advocate for the implementation a two-state solution which we hope will put an end to violence in the region. We will continue to work with other mainstream American religious organizations through NILI to work for active, fair and firm U.S. efforts to help Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab states achieve peace.