CAIR-NJ Welcomes Letter by Sens. Menendez, Booker to President Biden Calling for Accountability for the Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh
(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ, 7/13/2022) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today welcomed Senators Menendez and Booker’s joint letter to President Biden, in which they urged him to press for accountability for the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh during his upcoming visit to the Occupied West Bank.
The senators also called for continued U.S. participation in transparent and timely investigations into any remaining or new evidence and asked for a “senior-level classified briefing on the investigation details, including American involvement… and next steps with the IDF and PA regarding accountability for Ms. Abu Akleh’s death.”
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:
“While we are disappointed that our senators were slow to act — their letter comes more than two months after Abu Akleh’s killing — we acknowledge the value of it especially as we come closer to President Biden’s trip to the occupied territories.
“We commend them for pressing President Biden at such a critical moment and hope to receive answers in the coming days regarding next steps toward accountability. We also hope that the senators will press for the protection of Palestinian human rights and their right to a dignified life.”
CAIR-NJ had previously written to the Senators Menendez and Booker asking for the reasoning behind their absence in Senator Van Hollen’s letter to President Biden. Senator Van Hollen’s letter, which called for a thorough and transparent investigation into Abu Akleh’s killing, was written several weeks ago and signed by more than 20 other senators.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut, 908-267-3119, smaksut@cair.com.
