Republican senator advises Arab American witness at hate crimes hearing: ‘Cover your head with a bag’

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., accused Arab American activist Maya Berry of supporting Hamas during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes. Despite Berry’s repeated denials, Kennedy continued to press her by asking if she also supported Hezbollah and Iran. He criticized her for not explicitly condemning these organizations, suggesting she hide her “head in a bag.” Berry expressed disappointment at Kennedy’s line of questioning, emphasizing that she does not support violence. Kennedy’s remarks were condemned by Judiciary Democrats, with Sen. Dick Durbin stating that all Americans, including Jewish, Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian, deserve to be safe. Berry highlighted the danger of introducing foreign policy into discussions about hate crimes, emphasizing the importance of protecting democratic institutions. Overall, the exchange between Kennedy and Berry underscored the challenges faced by Arab, Muslim, Jewish, and other minority communities in the wake of hate crimes.

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