A US Muslim leader said that he was “happy” to see Gazans “break the siege” on October 7th when thousands of Hamas terrorists broke into Israel, killing 1,200 and taking 240 hostage.

Nihad Awad, the founder and executive director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations made the comments in a speech last month.

“The people of Gaza only decided to break the siege - the walls of the concentration camp - on October 7,” Awad said in a speech during the American Muslims for Palestine convention in Chicago, in footage published Thursday by the Middle East Media Research Institute.

“And yes, I was happy to see people breaking the siege and throwing down the shackles of their own land, and walk free into their land, which they were not allowed to walk in.

“And yes, the people of Gaza have the right to self-defence, have the right to defend themselves, and yes, Israel, as an occupying power, does not have that right to self-defence.

“Gaza transformed many minds around the world, including people who are not Muslim. What kind of faith do these people have? They are thankful, they are not afraid.

“Israel did not scare them because they knew their heaven is in Gaza, and if they would like to die, they will go to another heaven.

“That is the faith of the people of Gaza. That is why Gaza and the people of Gaza were able to transform everyone who is watching.

“They have learned from these people. Those who felt bad for Gaza. They don’t understand the equation. Those who thought that Gazans are less than those who can help them, they are mistaken. They are mistaken. The Gazans were victorious.”

The White House condemned the CAIR director’s “shocking, antisemitic statements in the strongest terms.”

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said: “The horrific, brutal terrorist attacks committed by Hamas on October 7th were, as President Biden said, ‘abhorrent’ and represent ‘unadulterated evil.’ October 7th was the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.

"The atrocities of that day shock the conscience, which is why we can never forget the pain Hamas has caused for so many innocent people. There are families who are in agony mourning loves ones, and there are also families in agony as they do everything in their power to free loved ones being held hostage.”

CAIR bills describes itself as a Muslim civil rights group. But critics have accused it of promoting antisemitic conspiracies and of links to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.