California Democratic Delegate Hussam Ayloush condemned for antisemitic rhetoric

CAIR Los Angeles Executive Director Hussam Ayloush currently serves as an Assembly District Delegate to the California Democratic Party.  He has a long history of  unchallenged extremist and antisemitic rhetoric.  Now leaders in the  local Jewish community are demanding he be held accountable for his vitriole.

In an open letter to California Governor Gavin Newson, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks, and Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel,  Jewish community leaders representing  Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish communities in the state of California expressed their concern regarding  the  "multiple antisemitic statements made by California Democratic Party (CDP) leader Hussam Ayloush."

They write:

As an institution whose mission is to be a “leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding” and whose Los Angeles Executive Director, Hussam Ayloush, currently serves as an Assembly District Delegate to the CDP, we are deeply concerned by CAIR LA’s role in influencing California’s Democratic Party with revisionist lies about Israel and the Jewish people, and the Middle Eastern Jewish community in particular. These lies are contributing to the rising tides of antisemitism our communities are currently experiencing, and are making the CDP an increasingly hostile place for many Jews – particularly those of North African and Middle Eastern descent.

We feel it is critical to open this letter by asserting that the vast majority of Jewish people are indigenous to Israel. As Mizrahi Jews, our ancestors lived continuously in the Middle East since the dawn of Judaism itself. In the mid to late 20^th century, state-sanctioned antisemitism—frequently taken under the banner of anti-Zionism—led to the ethnic cleansing and displacement of close to one million Mizrahi and Sephardic Jews from countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. About 650,000 of these Jews fled to Israel as stateless refugees and the remainder scattered to countries around the world, including the USA, with an estimated 200,000 residing in California. Today, Mizrahi and Sephardic Jews comprise over half of Israel’s Jewish population.

Hussam Ayloush's repeated dehuanization of the Jewish people is doumented in the letter:

Since 2014, former CDP Executive Board member Hussam Ayloush has gone on record with antisemitic, genocidal calls for the state of Israel to be “terminated. We are deeply disturbed to learn that Mr. Ayloush has also referred to those who support Israel as “heartless hateful bloodthirsty humans” and compared them to "Nazis"....We are also deeply concerned that Mr. Ayloush’s ongoing and repeated characterization of Zionism as a “political ideology whose tentacles are rooted in racism” is directly contributing to antisemitic, revisionist histories of the Jewish people.

California deserves Democratic leadership that bridges gaps and unifies our diverse community.  We deserve better than Hussam Ayloush.

Read the entire letter here:

Letter Denouncing Antisemitic Statements made by California Democratic Party Leader Hussam Aylous

What are American Police Learning in Israel?

What are American police learning in Israel?   We've heard the lies spread by groups such as JVP and If Not Now.   CAIR also ran with the lies, and went as far as recommending that city governments:

"End police exchange and training programs with Israel and other foreign governments
that engage in human rights violations, including violence against protesters, choke
holds and other forms of police brutality"

in their publication "Ending Racist Police Violence in America"

Has anyone thought to ask American police what they learned from visiting Israel?

In 1992, in an effort to secure the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia State University and the law enforcement community established the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE).

There were three objectives:
*  To enhance inter-agency cooperation between State of Georgia law enforcement agencies and the police force of the State of Israel
*  To offer an educational professional program to senior Israeli law enforcement officials in Georgia, primarily in the area of community policing
*  To offer an educational professional program to senior Georgia law enforcement officials in Israel, primarily in the areas of counter-terrorism and drug interdiction

The participants from Georgia did not mince words describing their experiences in Israel.

Kimberly Payne, Major, Atlanta Police Department (2018)
The GILEE experience was one of the highlights of my career. This enriching and impactful experience enhanced my professional development as a leader. The experience with the Israel Police reaffirmed the need to create diversity within the agency so that it is a clear representation of the community served. This then helps gain public trust.”

Ricky Rich, Deputy Commissioner, Georgia Dept. of Driver Services (2017)

“I was most impressed with the intensive training programs for the Israel Police. Integrity, professionalism, determination, and courage, protecting human life, and patriotism are among their core values"

John P. Quigley, Captain, Atlanta Police Department (2016)

“A clear priority, evident to all of us during our visit, was the sensitivity, awareness and commitment of the Israeli National Police Leadership toward ensuring every meeting with citizens, and every police/citizen encounter was focused on earning the trust of the community...Our pride in the brotherhood of Law Enforcement could not have been more inspired by those we met in the Israeli National Police. They are the pinnacle of professionalism, devotion to duty, and commitment to all people and religions. "

Rodney Bryant, Major, Atlanta Police Department (2014)
“One of our greatest challenges in American policing is serving a community that is vastly more diverse than the local police department. Comparatively, the Israeli police are responsible for serving a variety of demographics. I was impressed by the level of community policing efforts employed by the Israeli Police to build relationships and maintain peace among such diverse populations.

Steven D. Heaton, Chief, Fayetteville Police Department (2009)
“I think I can speak for the entire delegation when I say that this program was the highlight of many of our careers. The information learned and shared with our Israeli counterparts was invaluable. The Israel Police are one of the best trained, professional, warm, and accommodating group of people I have met"

The truth is out there. You just need to ask the right people.

Armenian Holocaust Denial from the US Council of Muslim Organizations

It is estimated that one and a half million Armenians perished between 1915 and 1923, at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, in a genocide (yes, genocide)that is not widely acknowledged even today.  

On the 100th anniversary of this tragedy, the  US Council of Muslim Organization, an "umbrella" institution that includes CAIR and American Muslims for Palestine in its ranks has issued a press release denying the Armenian genocide, out of fear of alienating Turkey, a "key ally". The US Council  calls the Armenian claims "one-sided" , saying that "proper investigation" is needed, adding that any acknowledgment must also recognize "Turkish and Muslim suffering". 

The press release issued by Oussama Jammal, Secretary General of USCMO

is reprinted in its entirety below.

Washington, DC, April 19, 2015) — The US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) the largest umbrella group of mainstream Muslim American organizations is aware of the painful history of over 30 nations fighting for over 4 years and the loss of over 37 million lives in World War I, including those of the Armenians.

As April 24 comes near, we share the pain suffered by Armenians during this period. We also believe that any acknowledgment by religious or political leaders of the tragedy that befell Armenians should be balanced, constructive and must also recognize Turkish and Muslim suffering.

In this respect, characterizing the events of 1915 as genocide without proper investigation of these events by independent historians will not only jeopardize the establishment of a just memory pertaining to these events, but will also damage the efforts aimed at achieving reconciliation between Turks and Armenians.

As Americans, we are concerned about alienating a key ally, Turkey, through one-sided declarations that political and religious leaders have made on this subject. The events of 100 years ago should be based on a consensus among historians and academicians with access to archives and documents from that era.

As the only Muslim-majority member of NATO and current President of the G-20 Summit, Turkey has taken on a unique regional and global leadership role in ensuring peace and prosperity for all. Our government has been closely cooperating with the Turkish government on defeating ISIS while also alleviating the suffering of Syrian refugees.

While Muslim Americans sympathize deeply with the loss of Armenian lives in 1915, we also believe that reconciliation must take into honest account the broader human tragedy of World War I. Muslim Americans expect our leaders to act accordingly to ensure that American-Turkish strategic relations are not damaged by a one-sided interpretation of the 1915 events.

Founding members of USCMO: American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), Muslim American Society (MAS), Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), Muslim Ummah of North America (MUNA), The Mosque Cares (Ministry of Imam W. Deen Mohammed).

Pope Francis in a Mass last week in an Armenian Rite mass  in St. Peter's Basilica described the massacre of the Armenians the "first genocide of the 20th century, " adding "Concealing or denying evil is like allowing a wound to keep bleeding without bandaging it."  

Rather than take the lead towards healing by acknowledging this painful event,  the US Council of Muslim Organizations is allowing this wound to fester.

For Bay Area events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide go to the website  Remember and Demand .  Adolf Hitler, in planning his reign of terror declared "Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?"  We must. It  is a moral imperative of Jewish and Zionist groups to formally recognize this atrocity. Silence begets silence.

CAIR makes UAE list of terror organizations

The United Arab Emirates  have produced a list of who they consider designated terrorist organizations.
The full list is available here

There are no surprises for many of the groups listed here:Al-Qaeda, Dae'sh (ISIL), Boko Haraa, The Muslim Brotherhood.

The existence of CAIR, the  Council on American-Islamic Relations was interesting, however. CAIR, listed as an un-indicted co-conspirator  in the Holy Land trials often works hand in hand with Jewish Voice for Peace.

Oh, JVP.  You are known by the company you keep.

Zahra Billoo of CAIR admits BDS fail

For all their rhetoric (the chortles of "BDS is unstoppable!"  "BDS is on a Roll!" ), American proponents of BDS know that they are losing the battle.

From Zahra Billoo , Executive Director for the San Francisco Bay Area Council for American Islamic relations (CAIR) ;

is incredibly disappointed that under @JerryBrownGov's leadership, CA is moving exactly opposite of #BDS and working with #ApartheidIsrael.
— Zahra Billoo (@ZahraBilloo) March 6, 2014

Thats a massive admission of BDS fail.

As is this:

From Algemeiner

Senior Israeli government officials recently asserted that despite calls for the boycotting of Israel in Europe and the United States, investment rates, exports and the Jewish state’s hi-tech industry have been unaffected, Israeli daily Ma’ariv reported on Thursday.

Furthermore, the international anti-Israel BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement has suffered a number of setbacks over the last few weeks, Ma’ariv said. 

Europe’s largest student organization announced this week that it opposes the boycotting of any Israeli products, including those produced in disputed territories situated over the Green Line.

Other blows to the global effort to delegitimize Israel include the England’s Supreme Court ruling a few weeks ago that the economic activity of businesses located over the Green Line does not violate international law. A court in France issued a similar ruling and at the same time, two European Union leaders – German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Parliament President Martin Schulz – announced their opposition to the boycott of Israel.

After 13 years of  Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions, tourism in Israel is at record levels, the economy is booming,  and A -list stars and recording artists are flocking to Israel.

Life is good

CAIR director Hussam Ayloush tweets juvenile attack on Islamic moderate

 CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations lists their "core principles" as follows:

1. CAIR supports free enterprise, freedom of religion and freedom of expression.
2. CAIR is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Americans, regardless of faith.
3. CAIR supports domestic policies that promote civil rights, diversity and freedom of religion.
4. CAIR opposes domestic policies that limit civil rights, permit racial, ethnic or religious profiling, infringe on due process, or that prevent Muslims and others from participating fully in American civic life.
5. CAIR is a natural ally of groups, religious or secular, that advocate justice and human rights in America and around the world.
6. CAIR supports foreign policies that help create free and equitable trade, encourage human rights and promote representative government based on socio-economic justice.
7. CAIR believes the active practice of Islam strengthens the social and religious fabric of our nation.
8. CAIR condemns all acts of violence against civilians by any individual, group or state.
9. CAIR advocates dialogue between faith communities both in America and worldwide.
10. CAIR supports equal and complementary rights and responsibilities for men and women.

They list these principles, but they do not live them. 

Hussam Ayloush, the executive director of the Los Angles branch of CAIR has been taken to task for calling the brilliant and principled  Dr. Zuhdi Jasser an "Uncle Tom" and a "monkey" .  As of now, there has been no consequence for Ayloush's juvenile attack and clear violation of CAIR's, um  "core principles".

Hussam Ayloush takes CAIR's core principles about as seriously as Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of the CAIR San Francisco Bay Area chapter,  does:

This latest revelation of CAIR's unbridled hypocrisy is not surprising .

From the Anti-Defamation League:

CAIR's credibility as a community relations agency promoting "justice and mutual understanding," however, is tainted. Founded by leaders of the Islamic Association for Palestine (IAP), a Hamas affiliated anti-Semitic propaganda organization, CAIR refused for many years to unequivocally condemn by name Hezbollah and Palestinian terror organizations, which the U.S. and international community have condemned and isolated.

 On the fifth anniversary of the Madrid bombings in March 2009, CAIR condemned acts of terrorism by groups designated by the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organizations, acknowledging that Hamas is on that list. The statement, however, did not represent a genuine break from CAIR's past because it did not address its own historical links to Hamas.  

The statement also followed the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) trial, during which evidence was produced by the Federal prosecutors demonstrating that CAIR and its founders were part of a group set up by the Muslim Brotherhood to support Hamas. The trial ended with guilty verdicts on all charges against HLF and five of its officers. In May 2009, they were sentenced to between 15 and 65 years in prison, including 65 years for Ghassan Elashi, the founder of CAIR's Dallas chapter

Jewish Voice for Peace: aiding and abetting the Haters

Jewish Voice for Peace, the self described "Jewish wing"  of the Palestinian solidarity movement will be co-sponsoring  a conference with  the  Council for Islamic America Relations, the Muslim students Association and  American Muslims for Palestine.

Of course, Jewish voice for peace no longer claims to be a Jewish organization, but rather one inspired by "Jewish values". Its unclear what "Jewish value" is represented by finding common cause with those that seek to destroy us.


Speaking at the conference will be Ali Abunimah,  Hatem Bazian and Max Blumenthal. JVP should feel right at home.

CAIR representative spys on pro-Israel teacher

From an article by Cinnamon Stillwell: Spies in the classroom CAIR vs Campus Watch

When on October 1, 2013, Samantha Bowden crept unannounced into the classroom of University of Central Florida communications professor Jonathan Matusitz, she wasn't hoping to advance her education on the sly. Rather, Bowden, the communication and outreach director for the Florida branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL), was doing something of which Campus Watch has been frequently accused, but has never done: spying on a professor in an effort to embarrass him and, with luck, even harm his career.

Since its inception in 2002, Campus Watch (CW)—a project of the Middle East Forum that reviews and critiques Middle East studies in North America with an aim to improving them—has been charged with an array of outrageous calumnies. They include paying students to infiltrate classrooms as "spies" or "informers"; targeting "pro-Palestinian" professors; and tracking "anti-Israel" comments." 

For a complete list of the false accusations made against Campus Watch since its inception in 2002 for allegedly sending "spies" and "informers" into university classrooms, see here

The article continues:

Indeed, CAIR has been caught red-handed doing exactly that with which academia and its allies have fallaciously charged Campus Watch and instead of outrage, the incident has been met with silence...

Campus Watch challenges these professors to denounce CAIR's harassment with the same fervor they've demonstrated over the years leveling spurious accusations of spying against CW. To do otherwise would be to demonstrate the hollowness of their concerns.

Will the Center for Constitutional rights Legal solidarity Initiative which purports to  "track incidents of repression, and to provide legal advice, representation, resources and advocacy support" condemn the egregious assault on Prof. Matusitz's academic freedom? 

Apparently not. According to their website, they only offer legal support to Muslim and Arab students, or to Palestinian solidarity activists. They will continue to ignore intimidation tactics by CAIR activists in the name of "justice".

That doesn't mean the rest of us will.

In Which CAIR Plays Thought Police

h/t to our friend Gary over at Fousesquawk

What do you do when you find a book in the library that you don't like?   Well, CAIR- the Council on American-Islamic Relations (also known as the unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy land Foundation terrorism trial) issues an action alert, urging parents to have their children .report sightings of the book. How positively ....Soviet. of them

Anti-Islam Book Found in Broward County Public School Library

Asalamu Allaikum, CAIR has received a report that an anti-Islam book has been found in a Broward County Public School Library. The title of this book is "Islam and Terrorism" authored by Mark A. Gabriel a well know anti-Islam pundit that self proclaims scholarly knowledge of the Quran. This book contains dozens of xenophobic statements and inaccurate information regarding the Quran and teachings of the Prophet Mohammed. We have submitted a formal complaint to the Broward County Public School System and requested information through the Freedom of Information Act. While the School Board is investigating we need the Muslim communities help in identifying if this was an isolated incident or if there was mass distribution of this book into the Broward County School system. We also do not know which School Districts this book was distributed to. It may have been distributed State Wide. Action Needed. Please show your children a copy of the Action Alert and have them look in their schools library for a copy of this book. "Islam and Terrorism". If your child finds this or similar books in the library please contact CAIR Florida immediately. Thank you for your immediate attention to this extremely important matter ! Please forward this ACTION ALERT to your email list.  Here is a Picture of the Book I haven't read this book, but I certainly don't want CAIR acting as thought police regarding what  books can and can't be read.  Its highly rated on Amazon.com, with 73 reviewers giving it 5 stars. The author's biography states that Mr. Gabriel has a doctorate in Islamic studies. (And this makes him an  "anti-Islamic pundit" why?) Dr. Mark Gabriel was born and raised in Egypt as a Muslim. More than just a practicing Muslim, he was a scholar from his youth. His first milestone was to complete memorization of the Quran at age twelve. He went on to attend Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, the oldest, most prestigious Islamic University in the world, where he earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in Islamic History and culture. He also holds a master’s degree in world religion and a doctorate in Christian education. He travels and lectures for a variety of groups all over the world. So do something for freedom today.  Pick up a copy of Mark Gabriel's book.- its only $10.40.  Read it. Like what it says? Find it credible? Pass it on to a friend, or better yet, donate it to your local library.

Rachel Roberts of CAIR: Denying the Principal of charity once again

What do we know about Rachel Roberts?

Using her own words, from her Twitter account we can learn that she considers New York's Celebrate Israel parade "the most horrible day of the year".



We know she considers vandalism an appropriate response to a message she doesn't agree with.



We know she rejects a 2 state solution.



And we know she's obsessed by the "Jewish question"




And we know she has an almost juvenile assessment of the situation in the Middle East- regarding it as a zero sum game where there can only be one "winner". (and apparently "victory" is measured by the number of bumper stickers you have supporting your side.)



We also know that Rachel Roberts, working for CAIR wrote an op-ed in the Oakland Tribune, libeling a local human rights activist, and distorting the dialog regarding Palestinian Cultural Day in Alameda County.

Let me digress for a moment.

Our friend Jon from the Divest this! blog has written an excellent series on rhetorical techniques that dominate the Israel Palestine issue. Read his post Rhetoric- Avoidance and see how the CAIR op-ed has strategically bypassed the message of activists opposed to the wording- not to the principle- of a Palestinian Cultural day resolution- wording that specifically reduced the Jewish people to a religion, denying them peoplehood and a connection to their ancient homeland.

"This avoidance of debate works in direct opposition to one of the most important notions behind sound argumentation: the Principle of Charity. This principle says that in any debate you are better off engaging with your opponent’s strongest points, rather than just pouncing on his or her weakest...

This choice to “engage” only with someone who could be characterized in negative terms while pretending that this was the only criticism they received was no oversight, but instead represents a BDS rhetorical strategy we see time and time again.

We see it whenever the boycotters studiously ignore all criticism until someone finally accuses them of anti-Semitism (an accusation for which they have a ready store of answers) which causes the boycotters to rise in indignant attack mode, insisting that any and all criticism they ever receive consist of nothing but similar accusations. This has become such a well-worn strategy that even if someone doesn’t make such an accusation, the boycotters will still argue as though this was the only criticism they have ever heard.

If the Principle of Charity requires you to engage your opponents at their strongest, what are we to make of a movement that will do everything in its power to wait for, ferret out or (if need be) make up talking points for their opponents that consist of arguments they do feel comfortable answering, and then pretending these is the only challenges they ever face?"

In her op-ed, co-written by Sameena Usman, also of CAIR, Rachel ignores the Principal of Charity and hurls out spurious charges of Islamophobia and prejudice, all the time ignoring the arguments of those opposed to the resolution- which addressed the Jewish people solely as a faith, and denied their history and cultural ties to the land of Israel. Never once does the CAIR op-ed address the stated concerns of the activists towards the language of the proclamation. Rather than work with the Alameda Board of Supervisors to rework the proclamation, removing the offensive wording, CAIR has chosen instead to embrace the cult of victimhood. Its not about achieving a solution- its about licking their wounds and crying victim.