New ad to launch in Chicago Monday

(CHICAGO 03/20/2015) – Just a few weeks from the April 15 deadline to file federal tax returns, the American Muslims for Palestine, a national education and advocacy organization based in Palos Hills, IL, placed electronic billboards asking the provocative question: “Have you declared Israel a dependent on your tax returns?”

The ad, which ran last year in Washington DC and is slated later for Times Square in New York City, says Americans are “sweating April 15 so Israelis don’t have to,” and calls for an end to US aid to the Israeli occupation.

By linking US aid to Israel to the April 15 tax deadline, AMP is hoping to raise awareness of Israel’s military occupation of Palestine, and its total blockade of Gaza, both of which violate the Fourth Geneva Conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In so doing, Israeli policies supported by US tax money also directly oppose American values of justice, liberty and freedom.

“Our unconditional support of these Israeli policies weakens America’s moral position throughout the world and threatens our own national security,” said Dr. Abu Irshaid, AMP national coordinator. “We are asking Congress and the State Department to withhold US Aid until Israel complies with international law and ends the occupation, lifts the siege on Gaza, allows Palestinian refuges the right to return home and affords Palestinian citizens of Israel equal rights. It is the American thing to do.”