In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad, who is of Palestinian heritage, said:

“It is profoundly disturbing that a religious leader would deny the very existence and basic rights of an entire people. Such rhetoric dehumanizes Palestinians and helps create an ideological and religious climate in which genocide is normalized and justified.

“Palestinians are a people with a deep-rooted history, culture, identity and connection to their homeland. Their existence and their human rights are not matters for anyone to grant or deny.

“The denial of Palestinian humanity and rights must not become normalized. Palestinians deserve the same fundamental rights, dignity, freedom, and security that every human being deserves.”