Pelosi comments suggesting Gaza protesters are 'connected to Russia' are 'delusional,' CAIR says

An American Islamic group is slamming comments from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggesting that pro-Palestinian protesters at events with President Biden are "connected to Russia," calling them "delusional" and "downright authoritarian." 

The sharp criticism from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) comes after Pelosi made an appearance on CNN Sunday, when she also argued that calls for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas were part of "Mr. Putin's message" and that the protesters’ financing the demonstrations should be investigated by the FBI. 

"They are in front of my house all the time. I have a feeling for what feelings they have," Pelosi said. "But we have to think about what we’re doing. And what we have to do is try to stop the suffering in Gaza. This is women and children, people who don’t have a place to go, so let’s address that. But for them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putin’s message." 

"Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine. It’s about Putin’s message. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous, and organic and sincere," Pelosi added. "Some, I think, are connected to Russia and I say that having looked at this for a long time." 

NANCY PELOSI SUGGESTS GAZA PROTESTERS ARE ‘CONNECTED TO RUSSIA’ AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested on Sunday that some Pro-Palestinian protesters were "connected to Russia." (Screenshot/CNN)

CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad later released a statement saying, "We are deeply disturbed by Former House Speaker Pelosi’s comments.  

"Rep. Pelosi’s claim that some of the Americans protesting for a Gaza ceasefire are working with Vladmir Putin sounds delusional and her call for the FBI to investigate those protesters without any evidence is downright authoritarian," he said. 

ISRAEL SHARES DOSSIER SPELLING OUT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST 12 UN EMPLOYEES ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN HAMAS ATTACK 

President Biden reacts to pro-Palestinian protesters, not pictured, at a reproductive freedom campaign rally at George Mason University in Manassas, Virginia, on Tuesday, Jan. 23. (Julia Nikhinson/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"Hundreds of thousands of Americans, including many young people, progressive activists, and Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, and Black Americans, have been protesting to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. Millions more Americans support a cease-fire, including the majority of Democrats, according to mainstream surveys," Awad added. 

Demonstrators hold up placards and Palestinian flags as they take part in a rally near the White House on Oct. 14, 2023. (Ali Khaligh/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Pelosi’s office for a response to CAIR’s statement, but they did not immediately respond.

Awad drew criticism in December over what the White House called "shocking, antisemitic statements" following the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks. Addressing an audience of American Muslims for Palestine, he said he "was happy to see" Palestinians break out of Gaza into Israel. 

Fox News’ Hanna Penreck contributed to this report.