Washington (Web Desk): The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent advocacy group for American Muslims, has strongly criticized President Joe Biden’s decision to authorize an $8 billion arms package for Israel, describing the move as both “racist” and “sociopathic.”
The deal, which includes munitions for fighter jets, helicopters, and artillery shells, was formally communicated by the US State Department to Congress, though the notification was reportedly informal, according to an American news website Axios.
This development comes as Israel is intensifying its military operations in Gaza, with reports indicating that the scale of the humanitarian crisis is worsening.
CAIR’s condemnation was swift, as it accused the Biden administration of enabling what it terms a genocide in Gaza, where Israel’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from international organizations, including human rights groups and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC recently issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for their involvement in war crimes.
The scale of the devastation in Gaza has been catastrophic, with more than 45,000 fatalities reported, the majority of whom are women and children.
CAIR specifically cited the death of seven children in a recent Israeli airstrike on a residential building, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on civilians.
Nihad Awad, CAIR’s Executive Director, called the Biden administration's decision to approve the arms deal “unfathomable” and “criminal,” arguing that it reflects an unconcerned attitude toward the suffering of the Palestinian population.
In his statement, Awad accused those responsible for the arms deal of being racists and sociopaths, contending that only such individuals could continue to provide military support to a government accused of horrific war crimes.
CAIR has also condemned Israel’s broader tactics, which they claim include the kidnapping of medical personnel and the deliberate destruction of hospitals.
The disappearance of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a well-known Palestinian doctor working to treat victims of the ongoing violence, was highlighted as an example of the escalating repression.
The group's outrage has also been fueled by reports that Gaza’s population has declined by six percent due to the ongoing conflict, a statistic they argue underscores the scope of Israel’s military campaign, which they describe as an act of ethnic cleansing.
The Biden administration's stance on the issue, CAIR argues, represents a failure of the US to leverage its position as a global power to press Israel to cease its actions in Gaza.
By continuing to send arms, they claim, the US is complicit in prolonging the suffering of Palestinian civilians. This has become a flashpoint in debates over American foreign policy and its alignment with Israeli actions in the region.
The situation remains dire, with the international community under increasing pressure to take stronger measures in response to what many regard as an ongoing humanitarian disaster in Gaza.
However, CAIR's condemnation highlights the deep divisions within US domestic politics over the nation's role in the Middle East, particularly in relation to its support of Israel during a period marked by widespread accusations of human rights abuses.
