In a recent surge of anti-Muslim bias in the US, a Muslim advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against the FBI regarding the discriminatory placement of two Palestinian Americans on a watch list. The lawsuit focuses on the placement of Mustafa Zeidan on the “no-fly list” and the seizure of Osama Abu Irshaid’s electronic device during questioning about his activism against Israel’s war in Gaza. Despite not being charged with any violent crimes, both activists have faced mistreatment by government agencies.
The lawsuit, filed by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, raises constitutional concerns and challenges the actions taken against the Palestinian American activists. Government leaders in agencies like Homeland Security and the State Department are also named as defendants in the lawsuit. The rise in Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian bias in the US has been a growing concern, with disturbing incidents like stabbings, shootings, and drowning attempts targeting individuals of Palestinian descent.
As tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalate, the lawsuit sheds light on the ongoing discrimination faced by Palestinian Americans and calls for a fair and just resolution. The fight for justice continues amidst the backdrop of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, further emphasizing the need for accountability and protection of civil rights.