The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on Tuesday urged President Barack Obama to condemn what the Muslim civil rights group called an Israeli “massacre” of civilians on a flotilla of ships in international waters seeking to bring humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip. Israeli commandos killed nine civilians in a pre-dawn raid on the flotilla.                                                                        

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on Tuesday urged President Barack Obama to condemn what the Muslim civil rights group called an Israeli “massacre” of civilians on a flotilla of ships in international waters seeking to bring humanitarian aid to the people of the Gaza Strip. Israeli commandos killed nine civilians in a pre-dawn raid on the flotilla.

“Israel’s attack on the flotilla has already been condemned by the international community,” CAIR’s statement reminded.

Reminding that a number of Americans, including former Ambassador Edward L. Peck, are among those taking part in the humanitarian aid effort and other passengers include 1976 Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Corrigan Maguire of Northern Ireland, CAIR urged the US President to immediately condemn the incident.

“It is imperative that President Obama not only speak out strongly against this massacre of civilians but also demonstrate our nation’s outrage at Israel’s brutal actions by taking concrete steps to end the humanitarian siege imposed on Gaza with America’s support,” said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. “Our nation must now work to end the inhumane and illegal siege on Gaza.”

Awad also urged the president to live up to his statement one year ago in Cairo in which he said that America will not turn its back on “the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity and a state of their own.”

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.