Jerusalem: A major Muslim advocacy group, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has called for Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to be expelled from the United States after an incident at Capitol Hill today.
According to CAIR, Ben-Gvir directed his security team to intimidate and harass Sabrene Odeh, a CAIR-Washington community legal advocate, who was wearing a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf.
The confrontation occurred after Palestinian rights advocates had earlier confronted Ben-Gvir during his visit to Washington, DC.
The situation escalated when Ben-Gvir, along with his aides and security guards, reportedly encountered Odeh and members of the Maryland delegation and CAIR national staff.
Witnesses, including CAIR-Washington communications director Katie Walker, stated that after being called a "war criminal," Ben-Gvir motioned toward Odeh, prompting his security guard to rush aggressively toward her. Odeh was forced to step back quickly, hitting the wall as the guard passed within inches of her, raising fears of a physical attack.
This confrontation adds to growing outrage over Ben-Gvir’s presence in the United States, with critics accusing him of carrying out policies that violate human rights. CAIR's demand for his expulsion highlights the tension surrounding Israeli officials' visits amid the ongoing Gaza conflict and wider criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
The incident also reflects the heightened sensitivities and strong emotions tied to symbols like the keffiyeh, especially at a time when global attention is sharply focused on Israeli-Palestinian issues.
