Call on the Biden Admin and Congress to enforce U.S. Laws and International Standards

Israel’s genocide in Gaza has been ongoing for nearly 500 days, and U.S. citizens and their immediate relatives remain trapped within the Gaza Strip. Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action) is calling on the Biden Administration and Congress to act urgently to ensure the safety of these individuals before the end of this administration, just as they would for Americans trapped in any other conflict zone across the world.

The United States has long claimed a commitment to protecting Americans in conflict zones, yet this principle has been callously abandoned for Palestinian Americans trapped in the Gaza Strip. From day one of this genocide, the U.S. has shown blatant negligence toward these individuals, failing to prioritize their evacuation while actively supporting the actions that have led to their suffering. This abandonment of duty is compounded by the U.S.’ role as a direct partner in the ongoing genocide in Gaza. It is imperative that the U.S. immediately act to evacuate these citizens and their families through available routes, such as the Kerem Shalom crossing, to begin addressing the profound harm its inaction and complicity have caused. 

Who Needs Help?

Nine families, already approved for evacuation by the U.S. State Department, remain stranded. These include:

• Khalid Mourtaga: a U.S. citizen (from Oxford, Mississippi), and his parents, Kamal Mourtaga and Rania Mourtaga
• Salsabeel ElHelou: a U.S. citizen, and her children Ayham Almathloum, Almotasem BiAllah Almathloum, and Banan Almathloum
• Mariam Harara: a Lawful Permanent Resident 
• Samia Abualreesh: a Lawful Permanent Resident 
• Loai Abusharia: an approved Lawful Permanent Resident petitioner and the husband of Marowa Abusharia, a U.S. citizen 
• Abdallah Abukamil: a U.S. citizen 
• Ehab Alayzji: the husband of Sawsan Kahil, a U.S. citizen 
• Asmaa Alnajjar: the mother of Mohanad Alnajjar, a U.S. citizen 
• Bassam Alrayes and Heba Al Tamimi and their children, Rama Alrayes and Ibrahim Alrayes: the parents and siblings of Mariam Alrayes, a U.S. citizen

Last month, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Law Office of Maria Kari filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of State for failing to evacuate these U.S. citizens and residents. The lawsuit emphasizes the government’s failure to uphold its duty to protect Americans and its complicity in the genocide. 

It is imperative that the Biden Admin immediately evacuate these citizens and their families through available routes, such as the Kerem Shalom crossing. Take action now and spread the word.