(NewsNation) — Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called for a federal investigation into pro-Palestinian protesters demanding a cease-fire in Gaza.
In an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Pelosi claimed without evidence that the protesters may be connected to Russia and its Kremlin.
“For them to call for a cease-fire is Mr. Putin’s message,” Pelosi said. “Make no mistake, this is directly connected to what he would like to see.”
She continued, “Same thing with Ukraine. It’s about Putin’s message. I think some of these protesters are spontaneous and organic and sincere. Some, I think, are connected to Russia.”
The California representative called on the FBI to investigate potential financial connections between the protesters and Russia.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations responded to Pelosi’s unfounded claim, condemning her comments as “an unsubstantiated smear.”
“Her comments once again show the negative impact of decades of dehumanization of the Palestinian people by those supporting Israeli apartheid,” Council on American-Islamic Relations National Executive Director Nihad Awad said in a statement to the New York Times.