CAIR urges release of British journalist detained at SFO after criticizing Israel - Local News Matters

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called for the release of Sami Hamdi, a British journalist detained at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday. Hamdi was traveling to a CAIR gala in Florida on a valid visa after speaking at a similar event in Sacramento. CAIR condemned his detention as an infringement on free speech, asserting it occurred due to his criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza, which have been labeled genocide by various international bodies. The organization accused Laura Loomer of inciting the detention through her social media posts, which celebrated Hamdi's arrest. Loomer also made inflammatory remarks, falsely accusing Hamdi of supporting terrorism and linking him to broader Islamophobic sentiments.

A spokesperson from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security did not respond to inquiries about the reasons for Hamdi's detention or his potential deportation. CAIR's legal team is actively working to secure Hamdi's release, emphasizing the importance of protecting the rights of critics of Israeli policy. The incident has highlighted divisions among supporters of former President Trump regarding views on Israel's actions.