An American Islamic group is criticizing former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's comments suggesting that pro-Palestinian protesters at events with President Biden are “connected to Russia,” calling them “delusional” and “downright authoritarian.” “.
The harsh criticism from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) comes after Pelosi appeared on CNN on Sunday, when she also argued that calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas were part of “Mr. Putin's message” and that The FBI should investigate the financing of demonstrations by protesters.
“They are in front of my house all the time. I have an idea of the feelings they have,” Pelosi said. “But we have to think about what we are doing. And what we have to do is try to stop the suffering in Gaza. These are women and children, people who have no place to go, so let's address that. But ask for a ceasefire is Mr. Putin's message.”
“Make no mistake, this is directly related to what he would like to see. Same with Ukraine. It's about Putin's message. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous, organic and sincere,” Pelosi added. “I think some are related to Russia and I say that after having observed this for a long time.”
NANCY PELOSI SUGGESTS GAZA PROTESTERS ARE 'CONNECTED TO RUSSIA' AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested on Sunday that some pro-Palestinian protesters were “connected to Russia.” (Screenshot/CNN)
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad later issued a statement saying: “We are deeply disturbed by former House Speaker Pelosi’s comments.
“Representative Pelosi's claim that some of the Americans protesting a ceasefire in Gaza are working with Vladimir Putin sounds delusional, and her call for the FBI to investigate those protesters without any evidence is downright authoritarian,” he said.
ISRAEL SHARES FILE EXPLAINING ACCUSATIONS AGAINST 12 UN EMPLOYEES ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN THE HAMAS ATTACK
President Biden reacts to pro-Palestinian protesters, not pictured, at a reproductive freedom campaign rally at George Mason University in Manassas, Virginia, on Tuesday, January 23. (Julia Nikhinson/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“Hundreds of thousands of Americans, including many young people, progressive activists, and Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, and Black Americans, have been protesting for a ceasefire in Gaza. Millions more Americans support a ceasefire, including most Democrats, according to the main polls,” Awad added.
Protesters hold Palestinian banners and flags as they take part in a demonstration near the White House on October 14, 2023. (Ali Khaligh/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
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Fox News Digital reached out to Pelosi's office for a response to CAIR's statement, but they did not immediately respond.
Awad came under fire in December for what the White House called “shocking and anti-Semitic statements” following the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks. Addressing an audience of American Muslims for Palestine, he said he “was happy to see” Palestinians leaving Gaza for Israel.
Fox News' Hanna Penreck contributed to this report.
