(NEWARK, NJ) – The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) today joined Palestinian American families and community leaders to call on U.S. officials to intervene and allow aid to enter Gaza as the death toll from the Israeli-driven starvation mounts.

During a press conference Wednesday, several Palestinian families with relatives and loved ones suffering from genocide and starvation in Gaza shared their stories and the horrific experiences they’re hearing from their families.

Collectively, the families have lost more than 300 of their relatives in the genocide since its onset in October 2023.

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CAIR-New Jersey stood alongside the families and urged New Jersey officials and President Donald Trump to intervene immediately

In a statement following the news conference, CAIR-NJ Executive Director Selaedin Maksut said:

“We are calling on New Jersey's congressional officials to issue public statements condemning Israel’s starvation of Palestinians in Gaza and to work with their collogues in congress, with the President, and the Department of State to urgently use all available diplomatic tools to bring about an end to the blockade and facilitate the entry of urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza.”

As of Wednesday morning, at least 154 people were killed by Israel’s starvation, with hospitals recording seven new deaths in the last 24 hours, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Additionally, at least 1,054 people were killed by Israel in Gaza while trying to access food as of July 21, 2025, according to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.