The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today welcomed California Governor Gavin Newsom’s remarks recognizing Israel as an apartheid state and criticizing Israel’s role in pushing the U.S. into a war with Iran. The organization also encouraged Gov. Newsom to publicly acknowledge Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
SEE:
- Newsom ramps up his criticism of Israel, accuses Netanyahu of leading Trump into war with Iran
- Newsom agrees Israel is an ‘apartheid state’
During a recent interview as part of his book tour, Gov. Newsom mentioned agreeing with those who label Israel “appropriately as sort of an apartheid state.” He also stated his belief that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leveraged Israel’s domestic issues to influence President Trump’s “corrupt and dishonest interest” in launching military strikes against Iran.
CAIR-CA recently condemned the Trump administration’s unauthorized regime-change war against Iran for Israel’s benefit and urged all Americans to contact their members of Congress to oppose further attacks on Iran.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“Gov. Newsom’s remarks echo what nearly all human rights organizations around the world have long concluded: Israel is implementing a broader system of apartheid against Palestinians. His statements reflect a growing and undeniable shift away from unconditional support for the Israeli government, from individuals and elected officials alike, stemming from outrage over Israel’s genocide in Gaza and continuing with opposition to U.S. involvement in a war on Iran for Israel’s benefit.
“While this is a necessary step in the right direction, we call on Gov. Newsom to publicly recognize Israel’s genocide in Gaza and take a firmer stance on holding Israel accountable for its ongoing violence and human rights violations against the Palestinian people.”
In 2024, Gov. Newsom issued a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at the urging of CAIR-CA and statewide Muslim leaders and acknowledged the nationwide rise in Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate coinciding with the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza in October 2023. However, in an interview with conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro earlier this year, Gov. Newsom denied that Israel has committed genocide, despite genocide scholars and many international organizations, including multiple Israeli human rights groups, having declared Israel’s atrocities in Gaza a genocide.
CAIR-CA continues to urge Gov. Newsom to take a firmer stance on Palestinian human rights, starting with acknowledging Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851, eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Communications Director Zaid Hisham, (916) 441-6269, zhisham@cair.com; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, (760) 201-7626, tnizam@cair.com; CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, (408) 498-5779, ladam@cair.com