The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia and CAIR-Pittsburgh) today called on Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman to apologize for his public approval of a disturbing “joke” made by Ross Glick, a representative of Betar, targeting members of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) with references to booby-trapped pager explosions.
The “joke” references a wave of pager explosions in Lebanon, which killed at least 32 people and injured thousands, including civilians. Betar, a group previously banned by Meta for allegedly issuing threats against SJP at the University of Pittsburgh, has escalated its hostility by claiming to compile a list of foreign students participating in pro-Palestine advocacy.
These students, reportedly from Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Canada, and the United Kingdom, are allegedly being targeted for deportation under the anticipation of a new administration.
In a statement, CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed said:
“Senator Fetterman’s continued alignment with extremist rhetoric and alleged domestic terroristic threats is beyond reprehensible—it is a stain on his office. His casual approval of a vile ‘joke’ referencing the murder of civilians and the targeting of pro-Palestinian students is not only morally bankrupt but also legally and ethically indefensible. It is high time Senator Fetterman is held accountable for his complicity in fostering a culture of fear and violence. His constituents will not stand by as their voices and lives are threatened. We demand a public apology and immediate accountability for his actions.”
In a statement, CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu said:
“Senator Fetterman should be prepared to accept responsibility for any harm that befalls on our students at Pitt and elsewhere. He continuously disregards rising Islamophobia and his role in fueling this wave of discrimination. His repeated approval of indiscriminate attacks against civilians marks a permanent stain on his record.”
CAIR-Pennsylvania continues to call for justice and accountability, especially in the face of rising threats against Palestinian advocacy groups. The targeting of students based on their activism or nationality undermines the core values of free speech, human rights, and justice.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu; atekelioglu@cair.com; 617-401-5397 CAIR-Pittsburgh Executive Director Christine Mohamed; cmohamed@cair.com; 412-606-3601