Civil rights movement, justice and equality are part of our American society and culture. We always speak up for the weak and oppressed anywhere, everywhere and anytime. Zeeshan Isaac is an advocate of underserved communities, weak and oppressed in Fort Bend and elsewhere. It’s always about people. Palestinian Americans live in Fort Bend County too and he knows some of them. Their immediate families are oppressed. Some of their extended families are oppressed too. Please continue to speak up because we should never underestimate our own influence direct or indirect and its positive impact on people. Thank you!
Open Letter to President Joe Biden
Mr. President,
Hope you and our first lady Jill Biden are doing well. I have congratulated you after your victory in a historic election and again after being inaugurated as our nation’s 46th President.
Today, I’m writing you at a critical juncture in world’s history. There are always certain situations in our lifetimes when we are confronted in making a tough choice in our lives.
As the President of the most powerful nation and country in world’s recent history, we expect you to adopt a balanced approach in making a decision about Palestine and Israel.
As I write this to you, hundreds of Palestinians including children are dead in past few days during Ramadan and on Eid Day. As reported by Reuters, “At least 126 people have been killed in Gaza since Monday, including 31 children and 20 women, and 950 others wounded, Palestinian medical officials said.”
“Among eight dead in Israel were a soldier patrolling the Gaza border and six Israeli civilians, including two children, Israeli authorities said.”
This is the land holy to all major faiths and people of faith as Christians, Muslims and Jews. I’m a proud Muslim American and Pakistani American. I can share with you that when I am meeting so many people, they are telling me about their deep sentiments. I’m listening to people. It’s an honor for me when they trust me and share their thoughts, feelings and opinions. People are deeply hurt and concerned about the deteriorating situation in Palestine and Israel.
We must put people over politics. This is about Humanity. As you are aware, we have our own history of racial injustices, civil rights movement and segregation. We all know the famous letter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from a Birmingham Jail on April 16th 1963. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
White House statement does not go far enough to hold Israel’s government accountable and their attacks on civilians.
It also did not mention the illegal settlements of Israeli settlers nor the illegal evictions of Palestinians from their legal properties. It also did not indicate the illegal entry of Israel’s police into Masjid Al Aqsa and use of force against worshippers during the holy night on 27th Ramadan which is called Laylatul Qadr (The night of destiny).
Mr. President, all sophisticated American made arms and weapons are being used by Israel. You have issued an executive order which was needed to stop the sale of US arms to Saudi Arabia and use of them in Yemen war. Can you please reciprocate and issue a similar Executive Order about Israel?
When an average American or any world citizen reads the White House statement and watches the news of disproportionate number of Palestinians getting killed including children, then people are asking questions because they are smart enough to understand and connect the dots to see who is defending and who is the aggressor here.
America’s standing in the world was damaged under your predecessor’s administration. Your administration is working hard to restore America’s damaged reputation around the world.
As parents and those who are grandparents know how children bring us laughter, joy and happiness in our lives. Can we please take a moment to put ourselves in the shoes of those parents and grandparents who have lost their children in the past few days?
Mr. President, your inaction and not holding our allies accountable during this time will damage America’s reputation once again. If we pride ourselves as beacon of hope and upholding justice in everything we do, then we must also speak up and stop our friends and allies in committing gross injustices against humanity. Therefore, please do the right thing and put pressure on Israel to stop killing innocent Palestinians (children, women and elderly) as collateral damage. To Muslims, they are known as martyrs (Shaheed).
Peaceful settlement of Israeli and Palestinian conflict must occur. ALLAH has give your administration a great opportunity to resolve this decades old conflict.
Mr. President, you have always said, if Americans come together, there is nothing we cannot do. This is the test of your leadership to bring all of us including the world together. This will be your legacy.
I am confident that you will take decisive action asap because how many people must die before America will take a stand.
Thank you very much!
Regards,
Zeeshan Isaac
CC:
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren
Senator Mitt Romney
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Ted Cruz
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
Congressman Troy Nehls
Congressman Al Green
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib
Rep. Ilhan Omar
Sources:
Interactive Aljazeera Link
Reuters
https://news.trust.org/item/20210514115812-k3u1w