The White House condemned statements made by the national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Nihad Awad, regarding Palestinians’ “right to self-defense” and his assertion that the “occupying power” of Israel lacks this right. White House spokesman Andrew Bates denounced these words as “shocking, antisemitic statements,” according to the New York Times, and referenced President Biden’s previous condemnation of the “abhorrent” and “unadulterated evil” attacks committed by Hamas on October 7.
Awad also made statements expressing satisfaction at seeing Palestinians break free from Gaza on October 7, the day that Hamas, a recognized terrorist group, initiated attacks on the West Bank, instigating conflict with Israel. In a response to the ensuing controversy, Awad claimed his comments were taken “out of context” and illuminated his stance against anti-semitism and violence targeted at civilians, regardless of nationality.
Following these events, the White House took action to distance itself from the American-Islamic advocacy organization, removing CAIR’s name from a past online document that detailed a meeting between Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and various organizations aimed at addressing Islamophobia. Awad’s contentious remarks were originally shared by the Middle East Media Research Institute and subsequently circulated widely.
CAIR was previously named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 2007 terror-finance trial of the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development.
