MPAC Cautiously Welcomes Provisional Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas

Washington, DC | www.mpac.org | January 15, 2025 — The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) cautiously welcomes the provisional ceasefire between Israel and Hamas at this critical moment in the ongoing and devastating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. For over a year and a half, the world has witnessed harrowing atrocities that have claimed the lives of over 45,000 people, destroyed homes, and dismantled infrastructure essential for survival. This ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for relief, but it comes in the shadow of immense suffering and loss. For the Palestinian people, this is not just a pause in violence—it is a reprieve from what the world must recognize as a deliberate campaign to erase their existence.

The Biden Administration’s failure to act decisively to end the violence earlier is deeply troubling. By providing unconditional support to Israel, including military aid that has been used to commit these atrocities, the U.S. bears responsibility for enabling the genocide of Palestinian civilians. The Administration’s lack of urgency in pursuing a ceasefire has contributed to the destruction of entire communities, the deaths of thousands of people, including children, and the systemic deprivation of human rights in Gaza. This must be a moment of reckoning for U.S. foreign policy, which has historically disregarded the humanity and dignity of Palestinians.

This ceasefire must not be seen as the conclusion of this crisis. It is merely a starting point for accountability and justice. The international community must demand the immediate lifting of the siege on Gaza, the end of illegal settlements, and the cessation of policies that have institutionalized apartheid and ethnic cleansing. These are not mere political grievances—they are violations of international law and affronts to basic human decency. Without addressing these systemic issues, a ceasefire will only serve as a brief pause before further violence.

The Muslim Public Affairs Council reaffirms its solidarity with the Palestinian people and their inalienable right to freedom, justice, and self-determination. This moment demands more than reflection; it demands action. We call on the U.S. government and the global community to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to work tirelessly toward a just and lasting peace that upholds the principles of human dignity, equality, and international law.