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(KRON) — Governor Gavin Newsom is now joining the chorus of people calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. In a letter to California’s Muslim, Palestinian American and Arab American communities–Newsom says it’s time to work toward peace.
“‘Yesterday’s ceasefire could have saved today’s martyrs’ is a line we’ve used in our advocacy over and over again. I would say better late than never,” says Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of the Bay Area’s Council on American Islamic relations (CAIR).
For months, organizations like CAIR have been pressuring elected officials to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. Billoo, along with other advocates, say the ceasefire is necessary to save innocent lives.
“Though we have been asking for a ceasefire since October, we welcome that call even now. Palestinians are facing a catastrophe like nothing we’ve seen before. Either they are bombed, or they are starved,” Billoo said.
The governor’s letter also acknowledged a rise in anti-Muslim discrimination and hate. CAIR national says in the months following the October 7th attack on Israel, anti-Arab bias jumped more than 170%.
The governor’s statements come during the holy month of Ramadan. For Billoo and many Muslims, this year’s observance is incredibly somber. But they’re not giving up.
“We welcome the governor’s greetings during this blessed time, and we are even more prayerful and more committed to action and protest to continue to advocate for a ceasefire,” Billoo said.
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