(TAMPA, FL, 12/11/2024) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its Florida Chapter (CAIR-FL), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the GOP’s selection of genocidal anti-Palestinian racist Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the next Congress.

Last year, CAIR called for Mast to resign for his “call to commit genocide” after a speech on the House floor in which he said: “I would encourage the other side to not so lightly throw around the idea of innocent Palestinian civilians […] I don’t think we would so lightly throw around the term ‘innocent Nazi civilians.'”

Earlier this year, when asked by activists from Code Pink if he had seen images of Palestinian babies killed by Israeli forces, Rep. Mast said, “these are not innocent Palestinian civilians across the world.” When asked about people facing starvation in Gaza, he said that “the half a million people starving to death are people that should go out there and put a government in place that doesn’t […] attack Israel on a daily basis.”

Rep. Mast displayed no hesitation in stating how innocent Palestinian homes will continue to be destroyed; in a comment, he said: “There is more infrastructure that needs to be destroyed…and there will be more that is destroyed.”

Mast is a former volunteer in the Israeli military.

In a statement, CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw said:

“Brian Mast justified murdering Palestinian children. Brian Mast equated Palestinian civilians to Nazis. Brian Mast marched through Congress wearing an Israeli army uniform, representing a foreign military, while elected to serve the interests of American constituents. Brian Mast said ‘more infrastructure in Gaza needs to be destroyed.’

“Brian Mast might be the perfect person to serve as a spokesperson for the war criminals of the Israeli government, but he has no business running congressional hearings on sensitive international issues that impact our nation’s security.”

He noted that CAIR’s Florida chapter previously condemned anti-Palestinian remarks by Rep. Mast.

SEE: CAIR-FL Renews Calls to Censure FL Rep. Mast Following Latest Anti-Palestinian Genocidal Rhetoric

In a statement, CAIR-FL Executive Director Abdullah Jaber said: 

“We call on House Leaders to condemn and censor Rep. Brian Mast’s heartless malignant statements he continues to make without any consequence. He is promoting hate and unabashedly supports what can only be deemed as war crimes. His blatant disregard for human rights and justice stands as a repugnant stain on the values cherished by Americans. His open encouragement of genocide is not just a provocation but an endorsement of violence.”

About CAIR-Florida:

CAIR-Florida is the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, foster dialogue, safeguard civil liberties for all, empower American Muslims, and form coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

La misión de CAIR-Florida es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.

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CONTACT:

Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, CAIR-FL Media and Outreach Director, Ph. (305) 502-6749. E: [email protected]