(MENAFN- cair) WASHINGTON D.C., 7/12/2022) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on President Biden to meet with the family of slain Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh during his visit to Jerusalem. CAIR also urged President Biden to publicly call for justice for Abu Akleh and slain U.S. resident and Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi during his trips to Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The family of Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israeli forces in May, sent a letter to the president on Friday demanding a meeting with him during his upcoming visit to Jerusalem.

President Biden plans to visit the Middle East from July 13-16, stopping first in Israel. He also plans to visit Saudi Arabia, where he plans to meet with Saudi government officials, including Crown Prince Mohamad bin Salman.

In a statement, CAIR Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said:

“In light of his pledge to place human rights at the forefront of his foreign policy, the very least President Biden can do during his trip to Jerusalem is meet with the Shireen Abu Akleh’s family and demand justice for her murder. The president should also demand justice for Jamal Khashoggi during his visit to Saudi Arabia. Failing to even mention these slain reporters during his Middle Eastern trip would send exactly the wrong message to both foreign governments and vulnerable journalists around the world."

MENAFN13072022006521014207ID1104523474