CAIR Files Lawsuit Against FBI Over Discriminatory Placement of Palestinian Americans on Watchlist
By Kanishka Singh
A Muslim advocacy group filed a lawsuit on Monday against the FBI and other U.S. government agencies for discriminatory and racist placement of two Palestinian Americans on a watch list. The lawsuit involves the placement of Mustafa Zeidan on the no-fly list and the seizure of an electronic device of Osama Abu Irshaid, who was interrogated about his activism against Israel's war in Gaza.
Irshaid, the executive director of American Muslims for Palestine, faced extra screening and questioning upon his return to the U.S. from Qatar in early June. The lawsuit alleges that his phone was seized and has not been returned, despite never being charged with a crime. Zeidan, living in California, was prevented from boarding a flight to Jordan and later informed that he was on the no-fly list.
CAIR is challenging the mistreatment of these activists on constitutional grounds, stating that race, religion, and free speech activity should not be factors in such decisions. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, includes leaders of other government agencies as defendants.
The FBI's Terrorist Screening Center, which administers the no-fly list, denies listing individuals based on race, religion, or free speech activity. However, human rights advocates note a rise in Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian bias, anti-Arab hate, and antisemitism in the U.S. since the conflict in Gaza began last October.
Recent incidents in the U.S. include attacks on Palestinian Americans, such as the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old boy in Illinois and the shooting of college students in Vermont. The conflict between Israel and Palestine escalated in October when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in casualties on both sides.
The Gaza health ministry reports a high number of Palestinian casualties and displacements due to Israel's military assault, leading to hunger crises and genocide allegations. Despite denials from Israel, the conflict continues to impact Palestinian Americans and raise concerns about discrimination and bias within U.S. government agencies.