Former Chairman of the US House of Representatives Reaps Criticism After Linking the Ceasefire Protests to the Conflict in Gaza with Russia

JAKARTA - A Muslim group in the United States criticized former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi on Sunday after she stated, without providing evidence, some protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza could be linked to Russia, urging the FBI to investigate.

His comments were responded to as "baseless slander" by the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), saying the statement was the same as dehumanization of the Palestinian people.

Protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza recently took place across Uncle Sam's country. The protests were organized by a number of groups of human rights, Jewish and anti-war activists.

"It doesn't make sense if someone with such an influence in the country, will spread baseless slander, targeting those seeking to end the massacre of civilians in Gaza and seeking a fair resolution to the conflict," Ibrahim totaled.

Pelosi's comments "encourage the situation in our country when opponents of the Vietnam War were accused of being communist sympathizers and being subjected to abuse by the FBI," CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad added.

Pelosi made the statement in an interview with CNN, after he was asked whether rejection of President Joe Biden's policies in the war in Gaza could harm the Democratic Party in the November presidential election.

"For them, calling for a ceasefire is Mr. Putin's message, Mr. Putin's message. Make no mistake, this is directly related to what he (Russian President Vladimir Putin) wants to see," Pelosi told CNN.

"I think some of these protesters are spontaneous, organic, and sincere. Some of them I think have something to do with Russia," he said.

"Some funding should be investigated and I would like to ask the FBI to investigate," Pelosi said.

Pelosi's comments marked the first time a prominent US lawmaker has accused the Russian leader of supporting US protesters calling for a ceasefire.

The Russian Embassy in Washington could not be reached for comment.

It is known that the United Nations has demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. However, Washington has vetoed a draft resolution to the call on the UN Security Council, saying it will allow the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which controls Gaza, to gather and rebuild its power.