Shocking Accusation: GOP Senator Hit with ‘Hate Speech’ Claims at Hate Crimes Hearing

Some Republican politicians and activists expressed opposition to the inclusion of Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, in the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on the increasing number of hate crimes across the nation. During the hearing, GOP Sen. John Kennedy’s line of questioning was called out as anti-Muslim “hate speech” by a critic.

“You’re a supporter of Hamas, aren’t you?” Kennedy, a senator from Louisiana, questioned during the hearing titled “A Threat to Justice Everywhere: Stemming the Tide of Hate Crimes in America.” Kennedy further linked Hamas to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the organization tasked with providing public services and aid to Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants.

Responding to the senator’s question, Berry expressed her disappointment saying, “It is exceptionally disheartening that you’re looking at an Arab American testifier before you and accusing, ‘You support Hamas.'”

She clarified, “I do not support Hamas,” but was interrupted by Kennedy who raised his voice to accuse her of failing to reject the group. He also accused her of supporting Hezbollah and Iran.

“You should be ashamed of yourself,” Kennedy stated, eliciting shock from the audience.

Emgage Action, a Muslim voter mobilization group, condemned what it termed the “horrific remark” as “a glaring instance of anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, and anti-Muslim rhetoric.”

The Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee criticized Kennedy’s “appalling” statement and instead highlighted Berry’s rebuttal. She had stated that while participating in a hearing on hate speech and hate crimes, she “encountered the very issue that we’re trying to address today.”

“This has been, sadly, a significant disappointment and a clear indication of the threat to our democratic institutions that we’re facing now,” Berry added.

In addition to this, Berry was also criticized by Kennedy for her opposition to the U.S.’s decision to halt funding for UNRWA—a decision that followed unconfirmed Israeli allegations that agency staff had collaborated with Hamas, and which has been condemned by international human rights groups and experts due to its effect on people in Gaza who depend on the agency.

“Maya Berry testified before the committee about hate crimes. Both Ms. Berry and the topic should have been accorded the respect and seriousness they merit,” stated Robert McCaw, director of government affairs for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). “However, Sen. Kennedy and others chose to exemplify the prejudice Arabs, Palestinians, and Muslims have faced in recent times.”

The committee’s Republican members criticized Democrats for inviting witnesses whose testimonies ventured into topics beyond antisemitism—a subject that was equated with anti-Zionism in a bill passed by the House earlier this year and in one proposed in the Senate.

The Democrats, in addition to Berry, a leading advocate against anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias in the U.S., invited Kenneth Stern, director of the Bard Center for the Study of Hate, who has criticized right-wing groups for “misusing” claims of antisemitism against individuals criticizing the Israeli government.

In her testimony, Berry discussed the increase in hate crimes against Arab and Muslim Americans, as well as against Jewish people, Black people, Asian Americans, and other groups.

Following a Hamas-led attack last October and the subsequent Israeli bombardment of Gaza, CAIR reported a 56% rise in hate crimes against Palestinians and Muslims in the United States, with 8,061 attacks reported in 2023. From January-June 2024, the group documented 4,951 complaints, a 69% increase over the same period in 2023.

Arif Rafiq, a strategist and author, opined that it’s unlikely that Sen. Kennedy will face “any censure” following his remarks at the hearing.

“Even in its most blatant form,” Rafiq stated, “bigotry toward Arabs and Muslims is deemed acceptable in American politics.”