New bus ad takes on Israel/US relationship on eve of Netanyahu's address to Congress
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Muslims for Palestine, a national education and advocacy organization, today is unveiling its latest ad that uses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's breach of protocol to focus on the detrimental impact our 'friendship' with Israel has on the United States.
Netanyahu caused controversy when he circumvented the White House and accepted House Speaker John Boehner's invitation to address Congress. Critics accuse Netanyahu of meddling in US affairs.
This may be the case. Speaking in 2001 about how he could manipulate the United States, Netanyahu was videotaped saying, "I know what America is. America is a thing you can move very easily, move it in the right direction." The video and comments were widely reported on in 2010 in Israeli and American media.
"At a time when the United States is close to a deal with Iran, Mr. Netanyahu is coming to persuade Congress to trade in a peaceful, diplomatic solution for war," said Dr. Osama Abu Irshaid, AMP national political coordinator. "This is unacceptable."
AMP's ad also calls for an end to US aid to Israel, which props up policies that contravene international law, deprive Palestinians of their human and civil rights, that thwart peace in the Middle East and threaten American national security.
"Last summer, the Israeli military used American-funded weaponry to kill more than 2,200 Palestinians in Gaza," Dr. Abu Irshaid said. "Killing civilians violates numerous international laws. Using an American arsenal to do so violates American law."
Israeli policies also contravene American national interests. "There are groups that use American support of Israel as a recruitment tool, threatening our national security. Our support hurts American standing throughout the world and makes Americans less safe," Dr. Abu Irshaid added.
Israel is the largest recipient of US foreign aid, each year receiving more than $3.1 billion.
There is historical precedence for tying aid to human rights. AMP calls on Congress and the US State Department to hold Israel to the same standards by withholding aid until it complies with international law and ends the occupation.
American Muslims for Palestine is a national grassroots organization, whose mission is to educate the public about Palestine and its rich cultural and historical heritage. For more information, go to www.ampalestine.org.
CONTACT
Kristin Szremski
AMP director of media and communications
202.796.8417; [email protected]
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150224/177537
SOURCE American Muslims for Palestine
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