CAIR Action Calls on Harris Campaign to Repudiate Bill Clinton’s “Insulting and Islamophobic” Attempt to Justify Killing of Gaza Civilians
(Washington D.C. – October 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. END CONTACT:Basim Elkarra, Executive Director, CAIR Action belkarra@cairaction.org CAIR Action Communications, media@cairaction.org
