Community Leaders Discuss and Activists Discuss Gaza Ceasefire, Linda Sarsour: I Was Overwhelmed with Joy; Hatem Bazian of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) Slammed AIPAC, Promoted BDS; Nihad Awad
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) held a webinar on January 28, 2025, where community leaders discussed the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel. AMP chair Dr. Hatem Bazian criticized AIPAC, stating that the organization should not have influence over U.S. policy in the Middle East. He urged American Muslims to press politicians not to accept money from AIPAC and emphasized the importance of recommitting to a "broad strategy" on Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel.
Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies remarked on the resilience of Hamas and Palestinian steadfastness, calling it extraordinary. Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), called for an expansion of BDS, describing the situation in Gaza as 'unprecedented genocide' and criticizing Germany's support for Israel, because the Holocaust took place mainly in Germany.
Marium Uddin of the Muslim Legal Fund of America stated that the only thing keeping the ceasefire intact were the Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Activist Linda Sarsour of MPower Change expressed joy over the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, while Basim Elkarra of CAIR Action noted that this marked the first time since 1948 that Palestinians had returned in such large numbers.
The webinar was hosted by Mohamad Habehh of AMP.
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