CAIR accuses Israel of gaslighting, playing victim

CAIR official, Samer Naseredden, sparked controversy with his recent sermon in California, where he called Zionists “disgusting” and claimed that the “Zionist entity” (Israel) is on the brink of collapse. He criticized Israel for its treatment of anti-Israel protesters and accused the country of gaslighting and promoting a victim narrative.

Naseredden, an outreach manager with CAIR-LA, previously served as the youth director of MAS and is responsible for fundraising and political action campaigning. The sermon, which was streamed live on the Chino Valley Islamic Center’s YouTube channel, raised eyebrows for its inflammatory language.

CAIR-LA

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties organization, focusing on advocacy and civil rights. Despite being part of the White House’s Strategy on Antisemitism, CAIR has faced criticism for not condemning certain actions, like Hamas attacks. In December, CAIR director Nihad Awad praised a massacre and made controversial statements about Israel’s right to self-defense, leading to condemnation from the White House.