Runestad calls on President Trump to assist religious minorities in Middle East

State Rep. Jim Runestad, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, today announced he has sent a letter asking President Donald Trump to support the assistance of religious minorities in the Middle East, including Christians and Yazidis in Iraq and Syria.

“ISIS is targeting ancient monasteries and slaughtering people based solely on their ethnicities and religious beliefs. This is a case of genocide, and these people need help immediately,” said Runestad, of White Lake. “Despite the fact that the federal government issued an official declaration of genocide a year ago, adequate assistance is still not reaching these vulnerable people.”

The letter, a bipartisan effort that was also signed by 22 other state representatives, asks Trump to take the lead and bring an end to the genocide.

“It’s time for United States to intervene to establish safe zones and ensure that aid is directed to people badly in need of assistance,” Runestad said.