In a surprising twist of events, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has angered many on the left for her comments regarding those who are calling for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In an interview Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Dana Bash, Pelosi was asked if opposition to the Biden administration’s policy involving the war in Gaza would hurt their chances in November. Pelosi first responded by sharing that she has pro-Palestinian protestors outside of her house regularly. No one was expecting what she would say next.
“For them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putin’s message,” the former Speaker of the House responded. “Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see. Same thing with Ukraine.”
“Some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere,” she continued. “Some, I think, are connected to Russia. I say that having looked at this for a long time.”
Dash, being caught off guard by Pelosi’s answer, had to ask for clarification.
“I don’t think they’re plants,” Pelosi said. “I think some financing should be investigated, and I want the FBI to investigate that.”
This was the first time that a high-profile U.S. politician suggested that Putin was in charge of backing protestors demanding a ceasefire.
Pelosi’s remarks come as the Biden administration faced criticism on the left for refusing to call for a ceasefire between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas, who have been at war since Oct. 7.
While the U.N. fought for an immediate ceasefire, the U.S. vetoed the motion, stating that it would give Hamas a chance to regroup and rebuild.
Pelosi’s comments have angered many on the left, including social justice warrior, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who said that the main concern was “the loss of life” in a “Meet the Press” interview on Sunday.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) was also put off by Pelosi’s statements about Gaza sympathizers. In a statement, CAIR’s national executive director Nihad Awad said that the organization was “deeply disturbed” by her comments.
Our Executive Director Nihad Awad: “We are deeply disturbed by Former House Speaker Pelosi’s comments. Rep. Pelosi’s claim that some of the Americans protesting for a Gaza ceasefire are working with Vladmir Putin sounds delusional and her call for the FBI to investigate those… pic.twitter.com/wT0NCBcCY5
— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) January 29, 2024
There is speculation that Pelosi’s remarks will possibly hurt the Biden campaign in the coming weeks.
