Texas designates CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations

The Lawfare Project issues the following statement in response to the proclamation signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations:

“Governor Abbott’s proclamation is long overdue. For years, CAIR has operated with a veneer of civil rights legitimacy while amplifying dangerous extremism, shielding radical actors, and targeting Jewish communities under the guise of activism. This isn’t a surprise to anyone who is even remotely aware of its record. CAIR was named by the Department of Justice as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land terrorism-financing case - its proximity to Hamas isn’t speculation, it’s a matter of public record.

What’s new is that a major state is finally willing to call this conduct what it is. Texas has taken a necessary first step in acknowledging the threat that radical ideology and tactics pose. Recognizing and addressing this is essential to protecting American communities from the sort of extremism CAIR continues to normalize. Together, with excusing terrorism and spreading Jew-hatred, CAIR’s conduct undermines the safety of American citizens. This should not be controversial - recognizing and addressing extremism is a basic moral obligation.

Pretending that CAIR’s conduct is benign has enabled a climate of hostility against Jews nationwide. Honest acknowledgment is the bare minimum, but accountability and action must follow.”