(Raleigh, N.C., 1/2/2024) – Triangle NC Jewish Voice for Peace, reported today that it joined representatives of CAIR in NC and local Muslim community leaders in recent meetings with Congressman Wiley Nickel (D-NC) to discuss the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and demands for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In two back-to-back meetings, community leaders representing an interfaith, multi-racial coalition from across Congressional District NC-13 discussed with Congressman Nickel the possible avenues to seeking long-term peace in Gaza, including various forms of ceasefires. The groups that met with the congressman hope that such efforts will be an end to the continued genocide unleashed on civilians in Gaza by the Israeli military.
The first meeting included members from Triangle NC Jewish Voice for Peace and North Carolina Muslim Grassroots, while the second included representatives from CAIR in North Carolina and local Muslim religious leaders.
The four groups represent a rising majority of North Carolinians who are demanding a ceasefire in Gaza, want to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes and are calling for greater respect for Palestinian rights and an end to the misuse of taxpayers’ money in funding Israel’s war on Gaza.
CAIR in North Carolina spokesperson Al Rieder said:
“In the two meetings, our groups expressed to Congressman Nickel our criticism of the Israeli government’s genocidal actions, such as depriving Gaza’s population of food, water, electricity, and fuel, as well as the targeting and bombing of hospitals, schools, churches, and mosques.”
“It is incumbent on any official to take action against the preventable killings of innocent pregnant women, premature babies, intensive care patients, cancer patients, and civilians at large, which is currently occurring in Gaza due to Israel’s war crimes.”
All of the groups thanked Congressman Nickel for acknowledging the urgency of the situation in the Gaza Strip.
A recent text survey by Triangle NC Jewish Voice for Peace, sent to 13,000 voters located in Congressional District NC-02, found that 79 percent of respondents want their representative to sign the ceasefire resolution and 76 percent feel strongly about this demand. NC Muslim Grassroots is currently in the process of conducting similar polls in Congressional District NC-13 and across NC. More than 350 healthcare providers from Durham, Granville, and Orange counties, including nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers, signed a letter demanding a ceasefire. Nationally, more than two-thirds of Americans support a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released in mid-November.
CAIR in North Carolina, and the local Muslim religious leaders of Congressional District NC-13, fully intend to follow up with Congressman Nickel in the new year regarding the proactive measures he promised to the groups during these meetings with him. His pledge reflects a genuine effort to address the complex issues at hand and seek accountability where necessary. All of the groups from these two meetings with Congressman Nickel, fully intend to hold him accountable in the new year for the assurances he made in said meetings.
Jewish Voice for Peace Triangle NC 