Clearly this is a new talking point that the Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), as CAIR attack dog Hussam Ayloush just said the same thing. It’s a specious argument that might impress the ignorant, but dissolves upon a moment’s thought. In the first place, Israel is not an occupying power. There has not been a single Israeli in Gaza since 2005. In his talk about a “siege,” Awad doesn’t address the fact that Egypt, as well as Israel, has its border with Gaza closed. And the idea that an occupying power has no right to self-defense is absurd. Did the Allies have no right to self-defense in Germany or Japan after World War II?
“CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad at AMP Convention: I Was Happy to See the People of Gaza Break the Siege on October 7; They Were Victorious; the People of Gaza Have the Right to Self-Defense – Israel Does Not,” MEMRI, November 24, 2023:
Nihad Awad, the executive director of CAIR spoke at the American Muslims for Palestine convention in Chicago on November 24, 2023, saying that he was happy to see the people of Gaza “break the siege” on October 7. He said that the people of Gaza have the right to self-defense, while Israel does not have this right. Awad continued to say that people who feel bad for the people of Gaza “don’t understand the equation,” because the Gazans were victorious. Video from the convention was posted on the YouTube channel of AMP. Another participant in the panel session titled “Gaza in Context” was Osama Abu Irshaid, national director of AMP.
Awad caught a bit of heat for that, and so is trying to explain it away. He needn’t even bother. He is riding the crest of the zeitgeist, and will suffer no ill effects from applauding mass murder.
“CAIR Director Stands by Celebration of October 7 Attack, Claims He Was Praising ‘Everyday Palestinians,’” by Ari Blaff, National Review, December 7, 2023:
Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), an influential Muslim-American lobbying group, is standing by remarks he made during a conference in late November justifying the atrocities committed by Palestinian terror groups after they invaded southern Israel.
“The people of Gaza only decided to break the siege, the walls of the concentration camp, on October 7. And yes, I was happy to see people breaking the siege and throwing down the shackles of their own land and walk free into their land, which they were not allowed to walk in,” Awad said to audience applause at the American Muslims for Palestine’s annual gathering. “And, yes, the people of Gaza have the right to self-defense, have the right to defend themselves. And, yes, Israel, as an occupying power, does not have that right to self-defense,” he continued without referencing Hamas.
Reached for comment after the video was publicized by the Middle East Media Research Institute on Thursday morning, Awad said his remarks had been taken out of context and claimed he was not referring to the Hamas terrorists who slaughtered more than 1,000 Israelis on October 7.
“What I actually said while discussing international law: Ukrainians, Palestinians and other occupied people have the right to defend themselves and escape occupation by just and legal means, but targeting civilians is never an acceptable means of doing so, which is why I have again and again condemned the violence against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7th and past Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians, including suicide bombings, all the way back to the 1990s—just as I have condemned the decades of violence against Palestinian civilians,” Awad added.
However, the statements Awad cited as evidence of CAIR’s supposed evenhanded condemnation of Israeli and Palestinian human-rights violations do not include explicit criticisms of Hamas terrorism and are instead mostly dedicated to scolding Israel….
RJ Katz says
Soon Gaza will be a parking lot. Gazan’s = terrorists. I hold them in low esteem akin to pond scum
PRCS says
If that parking lot is created by a nuclear explosion, it will likely be the result of an Arab “freedom fighter” accidentally triggering one supplied to them by Iran.
And Jews will be blamed for that.
bill says
I think when the palis and their suporters say occupied land they mean the state of Israel which they think should not exist, As Erdogan said recently wherever the Muslims set foot is theirs forever
Walter Sieruk says
Then that Muslim Nihad Awdad sand that nonsensical and false statement the doesn’t have any ‘ right to self defense ,he had much Islamic gall to proclaim such a fool utterance.
In great contrast the former US President James Monroe, had it right when wisely, in a speech declared, “The right of self -defense never ceases. It is among the most sacred, and alike necessary to nations and individuals.”
Walter Sieruk says
When Nihad Awad applauded that vicious murderous October 7th massacre by the jihadists of Hamas, he was exposing his own malice-filled and demonic Islamic mindset.
Furthermore , by applauding the heinous evils that those jihadists did that day , Awad also revealed that he’s lawless and godless man because of his dangerous and deadly false religion which is Islam.
As the Bible reads “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked…” Proverbs 28:4. [N.K.J.V.]
Bernie says
Another thing to note is that, the dance festival-goers and the kibbutz dwellers who were murdered, raped, and butchered were the most tolerant, pacifistic and easy-going people in Israeli. That didn’t matter to the wanton Hamas terrorists. The even killed non-Jews such as Thai and Filipino/Filipina guest workers, and Arab-Israelis.
somehistory says
How I wish someone could, and would, give this scummy ghoul a swift kick that would deliver him to a deep spot in the North Atlantic.
Perhaps enough people will hear him and his scummy mozlum sidekick, aloush, that they will see the Truth of this fake *civil-rights* group. See that they are terrorists, terror supporters, that they do not belong in a world where there are the freedoms they want to deny to the rest of us.
WPM says
The trouble is the appeasers ,the haters of western civilization (non-Moslem) communist , rainbow mafia type , the elected and appointed jihadist in American federal and local government are all pushing the agenda the Israel is the problem .I believe the Soro,s and other paid professional mob rioters have too much influence on elected officials. The same people (non-Moslem) where pushing BLM 2020 , occupy Wall street over 11 years ago, they want to rewrite history to justify the overthrow of our government. If they get their wish the people trying to grab power would be like crabs in a pot fighting each other and pull each other down . I see Islam coming out on top killing al other non-Moslem leaders ,the useful idiots do not see this .They applaud this anti-Semitic crap not seeing that they are next .What this man is saying in Chicago is no different then what a KKK leader or a Nazi leader would say about the Jews they do not have a right to be alive never mind free.
Hoi Polloi says
Well, I can see why he needed to speak up. After all, he’s merely warning the world that yet another new threat must be feared. Gaza was able to “break the siege” of occupation by all those babies and beautiful women. The infidel world probably isn’t up to that great a challenge. His jihadi love for us knows no bounds. I’m truly touched. /s
somehistory says
“CAIR Director Stands by Celebration of October 7 Attack, Claims He Was Praising ‘Everyday Palestinians’”
“Reached for comment after the video was publicized by the Middle East Media Research Institute on Thursday morning, Awad said his remarks had been taken out of context and claimed he was not referring to the Hamas terrorists who slaughtered more than 1,000 Israelis on October 7.”
““The average Palestinians who briefly walked out of Gaza and set foot on their ethnically cleansed land in a symbolic act of defiance against the blockade and stopped there without engaging in violence were within their rights under international law; the extremists who went on to attack civilians in southern Israel were not, Targeting civilians is unacceptable, no matter whether they are Israeli or Palestinian or any other nationality,” Awad told National Review in an exclusive statement.
Israel believes that as many as 3,000 terrorists invaded the country on October 7 and that many everyday Gazan civilians exploited the border breach to participate in the atrocities.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/cair-director-stands-by-celebration-of-october-7-attack-claims-he-was-praising-everyday-palestinians/ar-AA1l9XxZ?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=42742f6cca0c4c28b8a1c3e305a31407&ei=21
MD Anthony says
You can say what you like about Nihad Alwad: but what about the Israeli government?
Does the Israeli government seriously give their people the right of self defens?. Seriously where are the concealed carry permits for ALL Israelis. What sickened me and millions of others on Oct 7th was…
Where were the personal defensive firearms….anywhere?.
Why did the Kibbutz’s have any weapons in locked arms lockers?
In north America there is more security at Rock Concerts.
Where was the Rock Concert Security in Israel?
Unarmed israeli’s killed or wounded in their cars – what did so many defenseless Israelis prove to the Israeli people???
How about time for a change in their “Catch and Release” Government.
James Lincoln says
So, c.a.i.r. agrees with hamas – and therefore supports terrorism.
There is now absolutely NO excuse for anyone still thinking that c.a.i.r. is merely a benign “civil rights / advocacy” organization for muslims.
Larry Estavan says
I will point this out again, that Nihad Awad has been a public speaker in the English language for 30 years, and he still cannot pronounce the word “learn” @1:44.
His accent is an affectation.
somehistory says
I can just barely stand to read his lies; can’t stand to listen to him. I did go to the point you stated….and he does mangle the word. But, then all of what he says is a mangling of Truth.
somehistory says
“White House slams US Muslim leader’s ‘shocking, antisemitic’ remarks on Oct. 7 Hamas attacks”
By TOI STAFF
Today, 2:38 am 3
“The White House says it condemns “in the strongest terms” the “shocking, antisemitic” remarks that surfaced earlier today by the founder and executive director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) following Hamas’s shock October 7 attacks on Israel
White House spokesperson Andrew Bates says “the horrific, brutal terrorist attacks committed by Hamas on October 7th were, as President Biden said, ‘abhorrent’ and represent ‘unadulterated evil.’ October 7th was the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.”
“The atrocities of that day shock the conscience, which is why we can never forget the pain Hamas has caused for so many innocent people. There are families who are in agony mourning loves ones, and there are also families in agony as they do everything in their power to free loved ones being held hostage,” Bates says in a statement.
“Every leader has a responsibility to call out antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head,’ he says.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/white-house-slams-us-muslim-leaders-shocking-antisemitic-remarks-on-oct-7-hamas-attacks/
somehistory says
FOX News “White House scrambles to distance itself from Islamic group after leader’s praise for Hamas’ Oct 7th slaughter”
“FIRST ON FOX: The White House is scrambling to distance itself from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) after its leader appeared to say that he was “happy” to see Palestinians in Gaza “break the siege” during Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel.”
“After being contacted regarding the comments, a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital they are removing the group from its publicly listed pledge to fight antisemitism.
“The White House spokesperson said CAIR was “one of several independent organizations” listed in a supplemental document regarding the efforts and that the White House is “removing their commitment” from the record. ”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/white-house-scrambles-to-distance-itself-from-islamic-group-after-leader-s-praise-for-hamas-oct-7th-slaughter/ar-AA1lanN1?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=197c6dc783af4830bf036636f165c5a5&ei=23
abu taleb says
In the mind of pious muslims, all non muslims have no right to self-defense because non muslims are the lowest creatures and muslims are supposed to the ruler of the world. Only muslims have the right to self-defense.
Scotsman48 says
Tell me again why this low life scumbag is allowed to live in America and spew such lies and pure BS.
OLD GUY says
I wonder how he would fell about self defense if somebody walked into his home and kicked his ass, raped his wife and daughter and destroyed his life? He’s a Hamas DOG alright, and needs to be neutered.
somehistory says
c.a.i.r is busy in MD too, regarding a school teacher…
“Muslim group files religious discrimination complaint against Maryland public schools”
She’s on leave for her support of hamas….and the “river to the sea” signature on her emails.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/muslim-group-files-religious-discrimination-complaint-against-maryland-public-schools/ar-AA1ldRP1?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=253f63e1c0414cecb364854e6af4e6ba&ei=14
rocko says
Is Asheq Fazlullah part of the co-conspirator group that funds HAMAS? He has been speaking at schools and it seems that there are a number of searches with him linked to jihadists and Hamas. Not sure how he is allowed to speak in the philadelphia school district.