{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
An American Islamic group is criticizing former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's comments that pro-Palestinian protesters at events with President Biden had “ties to Russia,” calling them “delusional” and “downright authoritarian.”
The sharp criticism from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) came 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 this was the case. The demonstrators' financing of the demonstrations should be investigated by the FBI.
“They are in front of my house all the time. I have a sense of how they feel,” Pelosi said. “But we have to think about what we do. And what we have to do is try to stop the suffering in Gaza. It's about women and children, people who have nowhere to go, so let's address it.” But that they are calling for a ceasefire is Mr. Putin's message.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
“Make no mistake, this is directly related to what he would like to see. The same applies to Ukraine. It's about Putin's message. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous, organic and sincere,” Pelosi added. “Some, in my opinion, have a connection to Russia, and I say that after looking at it for a long time.”
NANCY PELOSI suggests Gaza protesters “have links to Russia” and should be investigated
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested Sunday that some pro-Palestinian protesters had “ties to Russia.” (Screenshot/CNN)
CAIR's national executive director Nihad Awad later released a statement saying, “We are deeply disturbed by former House Speaker Pelosi's comments.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
“Rep. Pelosi’s claim that some of the Americans protesting for a ceasefire in Gaza are colluding with Vladimir Putin sounds delusional, and her call for the FBI to investigate these protesters without evidence is downright authoritarian,” he said.
ISRAEL SHARE DOSSIER CHARGING CHARGES AGAINST 12 UN EMPLOYEES INVOLVED IN HAMAS ATTACK
President Biden responds 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 protested to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. Millions more Americans support a ceasefire, including mainstream polls showing Democrats in the majority,” Awad added.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Protesters hold placards and Palestinian flags as they take part in a rally near the White House on October 14, 2023. (Ali Khaligh/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital reached out to Pelosi's office seeking a response to CAIR's statement, but she did not immediately respond.
Awad drew criticism in December for what the White House called “shocking, anti-Semitic” comments following the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks. Addressing an audience of American Muslims committed to Palestine, he said he was “glad that Palestinians are breaking out of Gaza into Israel.”
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Fox News' Hanna Penreck contributed to this report.