GOP Senator Makes Insensitive Remark to Arab American Witness at Hate Crimes Hearing

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes, Senator John Kennedy repeatedly suggested that Arab American activist Maya Berry, who is the executive director of the Arab American Institute, supports Hamas. Berry denied supporting Hamas and expressed disappointment in the line of questioning. Kennedy also asked if she supports Hezbollah and Iran, to which Berry responded with a firm no. Kennedy criticized her for not denouncing these organizations and said she should hide her head in a bag. The exchange was met with gasps and criticism from the audience and other senators. Berry highlighted the surge of hate crimes against Arab, Muslim, and Jewish Americans since a recent terror attack. She emphasized the need to address hate crimes without introducing foreign policy into the discussion, warning of the danger to democratic institutions. Judiciary Democrats condemned Kennedy’s remarks on social media, calling for political leaders to avoid promoting hatred and division. Kennedy’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the incident.

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