Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi proposed on the Sabbath that the Federal Bureau of Investigation should conduct an inquiry into pro-Palestinian demonstrations, citing apprehensions of their linkage to Russia.
During an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Pelosi, a one-time prominent figure in the House of Representatives, asserted, “The call for a cease-fire aligns with the messaging of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Make no mistake, this is intricately tied to his preferences.”
When questioned about the possibility of Russia orchestrating protesters’ involvement in these demonstrations, Pelosi replied, “I believe the financing aspects should undergo scrutiny. I urge the FBI to delve into this matter.”
In response, Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, characterized Pelosi’s assertions as “delusional” and cautioned against a return to the era when Washington targeted peace activists during the 1960s.
Awad remarked, “Regrettably, Representative Pelosi’s comments harken back to a time in our nation when opponents of the Vietnam War were accused of being sympathizers to communism and subjected to FBI interference.”
While Russia has a history of interfering in U.S. political affairs, Pelosi did not present any reported evidence of Kremlin involvement in the ongoing protests. Instead, these demonstrations appear to be primarily driven by domestic organizational endeavors, ranging from municipal councils to religious congregations to campus activists.
They reflect a growing public sentiment against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, resulting in the reported deaths of at least 26,422 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Youth, in particular, express discontent. Repeated polls indicate that a higher proportion of Americans aged 18–29 disapprove rather than approve of the Biden administration’s endorsement of the Israeli military action in Gaza, advocating for a cessation of hostilities.
This sentiment reverberates globally. During a recent session of the United Nations General Assembly, 153 member states voted in favor of a cease-fire, with 23 abstentions and 10 opposing votes, including those from the U.S. and Israel. Conversely, support for Israel’s military campaign remains predominant on Capitol Hill, even if not unanimous.
Over 60 House Democrats, including 9 representatives from California, have defied the White House by endorsing a call for a cease-fire. On the Senate side, Democrats such as Peter Welch, Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley, Chris Van Hollen, and Dick Durbin advocate for a cessation of hostilities.