USA (Washington Insider Magazine)—On Sunday, The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned Rep. Nancy Pelosi for connecting pro-Palestinian protesters to Russia during a CNN interview in which she also implied she wants the FBI to investigate any potential financial links.
Pelosi suggested “State of the Union” that some pro-Palestinian protesters who are shouting for a cease-fire in Gaza are distributing a message that is beneficial to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“But for them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putin’s message, Mr. Putin’s message. This is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine. It’s about Putin’s message,” Pelosi stated. “Some of these protesters are spontaneous, organic, and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia. And I say that having looked at this for a long time now, as you know.”
When anchor asked Pelosi whether she thought some of the protesters were “Russian plants,” Pelosi answered: “I don’t think they’re plants. I think some financing should be examined. And I want to request the FBI to investigate that.”
Pelosi’s comments came after an anchor questioned the California Democrat regarding challenges that her party is encountering as a result of President Biden’s reaction to the Israel-Hamas war that has eroded some backing from the base, particularly among Muslim and Arab Americans.
“Well, let me just say this, because I have been the recipient of their, shall we say, exuberances, and it’s as recently as in Seattle on Thursday, unfortunately, wanted to disrupt our inspiring Democratic meeting there,” Pelosi stated referring to a recent event in which pro-Palestinian protesters encountered her in front of a hotel.
“They’re in front of my house all the time. So, I have a feeling for what feelings they have. But we have to think about what we’re doing. And what we have to do is try to stop the suffering and gossip. This is women and children. People don’t have a place to go. So let’s address that,” she expressed.
A short time after Pelosi’s remarks circulated on TV, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad criticised Pelosi’s comments in a statement that referred to her remarks as an “unsubstantiated smear.”
“We are deeply disturbed by Former House Speaker Pelosi’s comments,” Awad said. “Rep. Pelosi’s claim that some of the Americans protesting for a Gaza ceasefire are working with Vladimir Putin sounds delusional, and her call for the FBI to investigate those protesters without any evidence is downright authoritarian.”
“Sadly, Rep. Pelosi’s comments echo a time in our nation when opponents of the Vietnam War were accused of being communist sympathisers and subjected to FBI harassment,” Awad persisted.
“Hundreds of thousands of Americans, including many young people, progressive activists, and Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, and Black Americans, have been protesting to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Millions more Americans support a ceasefire, including the majority of Democrats.”
Awad stated Pelosi’s remarks demonstrate “the negative impact of decades of dehumanisation of the Palestinian people by those supporting Israeli apartheid.”
“Instead of baselessly smearing those Americans as Russian collaborators, former House Speaker Pelosi and other political leaders should respect the will of the American people by calling for an end to the Netanyahu government’s genocidal war on the people of Gaza,” Awad further said.
When journalists reached out to Pelosi’s office about her remarks, a spokesperson restated that the former Speaker believes in a right to protest peacefully but indicated she still wants to see an investigation.
“As Speaker Pelosi said on CNN, we have to focus on stopping the suffering in Gaza, and she will continue demanding that all hostages be freed now,” the spokesperson expressed. “Speaker Pelosi has always supported and defended the right of all Americans to make their views known through peaceful protest.”
“Informed by three decades on the House Intelligence Committee, Speaker Pelosi is acutely aware of how foreign adversaries meddle in American politics to sow division and impact our elections, and she wants to see further investigation ahead of the 2024 election,” the spokesperson further added.
