CAIR Executive Director: ‘I Was Happy To See People Breaking The Siege’ On October 7

 Nihad Awad, the executive director of CAIR, said during a speech late last month that he was happy to see the people of Gaza “breaking the siege” on October 7, when Hamas launched an unprecedented terrorist attack against Israel.

The Middle East Media Research Institute reported on Thursday that Awad made the remarks while speaking at the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) convention in Chicago on November 24.

“The people of Gaza only decided to break the siege, the walls of the concentration camp, on October 7th,” he said. “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, that they were not allowed to walk in. 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 later said that “Gaza became the liberation source, the inspiration for people” and that Gaza “transformed many minds around the world, including people who are not Muslim.”

“What kind of faith do these people have? They are thankful, they are not afraid,” he said, later adding: “Israel did not scare them, because they knew their heaven is in Gaza, and if they would like to die, they will go to another heaven.”

“That is the faith of the people of Gaza,” he continued. “That is why Gaza and the people of Gaza were able to transform everyone who is watching – they have learned from these people. Those who felt bad for Gaza – they don’t understand the equation. Those who thought that Gazans are less than those who can help them, they are mistaken. They are mistaken. The Gazans were victorious.”

 

WATCH:

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 #Hamas #Gaza #Palestinians @CAIRNational @NihadAwad pic.twitter.com/WDbSRjFJo0

— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) December 7, 2023