WASHINGTON DC, Saturday, August 3, 2024 (WAFA) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), one of the leading Muslim political organizations in the US, today called Gov. Josh Shapiro's recently unearthed racist, anti-Palestinian remarks "deeply disturbing and disqualifying."

CAIR called on Vice President Harris to consider other potential vice presidential nominees who do not have a recent or long-standing history of expressing hostility towards Palestinian-Americans, American Muslims or racism against any other community.

In a statement, CAIR Action Executive Director Basim Elkarra said: "The racist, anti-Palestinian views Governor Shapiro clearly expressed are deeply disturbing and should disqualify him from further consideration as the 2024 Democratic president nominee.

"Given the clear connections between the anti-Palestinian hostility he expressed in college and the anti-Palestinian positions he has taken in recent months, such as equating pro-Palestinian college students with KKK members and using the power of the state to punish and silence students and state employees critical of the Israeli government, his editorial cannot be dismissed as the writings of an immature young man," he continued.

Elkarra added, "Vice President Harris must now unite the country with a vice presidential pick who does not have a history of expressing racism or bigotry against any community. As anti-Palestinian racism spins out of control in America and the genocide continues in Gaza, Governor Shapiro would be the wrong choice at the wrong time to serve on a presidential ticket. He must focus his time and attention on rebuilding trust with the people of Pennsylvania."

M.N