(WASHINGTON, DC – 10/31/2024) CAIR Action, one of the nation’s largest Muslim political
organizations, today called on the Harris for President campaign to repudiate former president
Bill Clinton’s “insulting and Islamophobic” attempt to justify the killing of civilians in Gaza
Clinton made the remarks during a Harris-Walz campaign event in Michigan while criticizing
Palestinian and Arab-American voters who have been hesitant to support Vice President Harris
due to her and President Biden’s support for Israel’s war on Gaza.
SEE: Bill Clinton Remarks on Gaza, Islam and Palestine at Michigan Event
Clinton argued that Israel was justified in not keeping “score” of how many people it killed and
that the slaughtered civilians had been used as human shields by Hamas. Clinton also said that
Israelis had lived near Gaza since before Islam existed, citing King David, and referred to the
land as “Judea and Samaria,” a phrase used by far-right Israelis who oppose a Palestinian
state. He said President Biden was fulfilling his “duty” to Israel by supplying it with unconditional
weapons.
In a statement, CAIR Action Executive Director Basim Elkarra said:
“We strongly condemn Bill Clinton’s insulting and Islamophobic attempt to justify Israel’s mass
murder of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and we call on the Harris campaign to repudiate his
remarks. If Mr. Clinton is deliberately trying to make Vice President Harris lose more votes in
Michigan, he’s doing an excellent job.
“Michigan voters concerned about the war on Gaza do not need to hear a historical lecture from
Bill Clinton; they need to hear Vice President Harris pledge to force Netanyahu to accept a
ceasefire by upholding U.S. laws that clearly require the suspension of weapons to Israel due to
its massacres of civilians and blocking of humanitarian aid.
“Most Americans, including most Democratic voters, recognize that nothing justifies the ongoing
slaughter and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza or the destruction of refugee camps, apartment
buildings, hospitals, mosques, churches, and schools. The Harris campaign should make it
clear that President Clinton’s remarks do not represent the campaign.”
CAIR Action is a 501(c)4 organization. Our mission is to engage, educate, and mobilize Muslim
voters, train emerging leaders, and champion policy priorities that enhance the well-being and
representation of Muslim communities. Through our work, we aim to foster a more equitable and
inclusive democratic society where the rights and voices of Muslims are acknowledged and
respected.
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CONTACT:
Basim Elkarra, Executive Director, CAIR Action [email protected]
CAIR Action Communications, [email protected]
