US Muslims Condemn Kidnapping of Palestinian Officials

Washington, DC: The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on the United States and the international community to repudiate Israel's kidnapping of dozens of democratically-elected Palestinian officials and cabinet ministers, including the deputy prime minister. CAIR called the hostage-taking a form of "state terror."
In a joint statement, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other G8 foreign ministers said: "The detention of elected members of the Palestinian government and legislature raises particular concerns."
"Again we see Israel carrying out acts of state terror and the international community offering only a mild and indirect response that will be taken as a 'green light' by Israeli officials," said CAIR Board Chairman Parvez Ahmed. "America's push for democracy in the Muslim world may be dead in the water unless the Bush administration pressures Israel to release the hostages and end its collective punishment of the Palestinian people."
Ahmed said Israel has a history of taking hostages to be used as "bargaining chips." CAIR said Israel's targeting of the Palestinian civilian infrastructure is a war crime that must be condemned by the Bush administration.
As it turns out, a Palestinian power plant bombed by Israel on Tuesday is insured by a US government agency, and American funds may be used to pay for the damage. The destruction of the power plant may also lead to a humanitarian disaster because the plant's electricity is essential for pumps that provide water to Gaza.
SEE: Gaza Power Plant Hit by Israeli Airstrike is Insured by US Agency (Boston Globe)

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------