CAIR’s antisemitic statements abuses are vast and well-documented. While claiming to fight intolerance and bigotry, CAIR produces a great deal of both in their way. CAIR’s national leader Nihad Awad said he was “happy to see” the Hamas terrorist attack that took the lives of Israeli civilians. CAIR’s CEO and Executive Director for the Greater Los Angeles area Hussam Ayloush said in a Facebook post that Israel should not be “surprised and appalled” that they’ve been attacked. Ayloush also said in December of 2023 that “Israel does not have a right to defend itself” and that Hamas had a “legitimate right” to attack Israel. Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of CAIR San Francisco, said in a Facebook post about the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack that killed more than 1,200 Israeli civilians that the world was witnessing “decolonization.” Billoo also said in a Facebook post that anyone who is pro-Israel is “pro-genocide.” CAIR also has a documented history of bringing antisemitic speakers to headline their galas and events.

CAIR also has a history of ties to terrorism. In July of 2003, Rabih Haddad of CAIR-Ann Arbor was deported by the U.S. government on charges of links with the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. That same year in June, CAIR communications associate Randall “Ismail” Royer was arrested in Virginia on terror charges that were linked to a Pakistani jihadi group. He then plead guilty in 2004.

In September of 2003, CAIR’s former Community Affairs Director, Bassem Khafagi, pled guilty to three federal counts of bank and visa fraud and agreed to be deported to Egypt. The Khafagi-founded Islamic Assembly of North America had funneled money to terror activities and had published material advocating suicide attacks against US. These illegal activities took place while Khafagi was employed by CAIR.

In July of 2004, CAIR Northern Virginia board director Abdurahaman Alamoudi plead guilty to terrorism. In November of 2008, Ghassan Elashi, director of CAIR-Dallas, and Mohammad El-Mezain, a CAIR fundraiser in New York, were both convicted in the Holy Land Foundation trial for providing material support for Hamas.

In 2008, the former Executive Director of CAIR Michigan Muthanna Al-Hanooti was charged with spying for the Iraqi government.

In 2010, CAIR board member Nabil Saadoun was deported amid allegations of ties to terrorist organizations.