Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) suggested on Sunday that the American-based pro-Palestine groups demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas War might secretly be funded by Russia. According to the former Speaker of the House, all calls for a ceasefire or a two-state solution advance “Mr. Putin’s message” and should be investigated by the FBI.
Speaking with host Dana Bash on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Pelosi addressed the growing contingent of the progressive left that rejects the Biden administration’s support for Israel.
“One of the challenges that Democrats might have in organizing is some anger in some corners of the progressive movement over Biden’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas terrorists,” Bash said, prompting Pelosi to consider the Democratic Party’s chances in the 2024 election. “How concerned are you, especially since we have seen protesters over and over and over?”
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As Bash indicated, pro-Palestine demonstrations across the United States have steadily increased in size, intensity, and destructive behavior since the October 7th Hamas attacks against Israel. As the Israeli airstrikes and ground maneuvers in Gaza have continued, so too have shows of support for the Palestinian cause, which reached a fever pitch during the holiday season. Thanksgiving parades, Christmas festivities, New Year’s celebrations, and busy travel days at airports were all either disrupted or canceled by mobs of activists accusing Israel of genocide and calling the American government to revise its stance on the conflict.
Other incidents have involved protesters clashing with police outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, storming the US Capitol, and attempting to breach the grounds of the White House, indicating that even the progressives within the current administration are not in line with the increasingly anti-Zionist base.
However, according to former Speaker Pelosi—who has herself reportedly been heckled and harassed by pro-Palestine activists—many of these protesters may be working on behalf of foreign interests.
Nancy Pelosi absolutely LOSES it after pro-Palestinian protesters take over her driveway, trigger her into shouting match:
“GET OUT OF MY WAY! GO BACK TO CHINA WHERE YOU CAME FROM!”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 29, 2024
While Pelosi shares the movement’s concern for “the women and children and people who don’t have a place to go” in Gaza, she also suggested that ceasefire calls only serve to advance Russian President Vladimir Putin’s international agenda.
“For them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putin’s message, Mr. Putin’s message. Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see,” Pelosi insisted. “Same thing with Ukraine. It’s about Putin’s message. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some are connected to Russia. I say that having looked at this for a long time.”
Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has been notably non-hostile towards Hamas forces and maintains an alliance with Iran, which is one of the terrorist group’s primary backers. Iran also provides Russia with drones and weaponry for its ongoing war effort in Ukraine.
When pressed about her insinuation that some of the protesters might be “Russian plants,” Pelosi replied that “some financing should be investigated” by the FBI.
A spokesperson for Pelosi later clarified that the former Speaker has “always supported and defended the right of all Americans to make their views known through peaceful protest” and is merely “acutely aware” of foreign meddling in American elections.
Even so, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) objected to the characterization. CAIR—which has not been previously linked to Russia but has been substantively tied to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood—called Pelosi “delusional” and “downright authoritarian.”
“Her comments once again show the negative impact of decades of dehumanization of the Palestinian people by those supporting Israeli apartheid,” a statement from the organization read. “Instead of baselessly smearing those Americans as Russian collaborators, former House Speaker Pelosi and other political leaders should respect the will of the American people by calling for an end to the Netanyahu government’s genocidal war on the people of Gaza.”
CAIR was disavowed by the White House in December after the organization’s leadership claimed to be “happy to see” the October 7th attacks on Israel.
Connor Walcott is a staff writer for Valuetainment.com. Follow Connor on X and look for him on VT’s “The Unusual Suspects.”
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