US rights group condemns arrest of UK critic of Israel’s war on Gaza

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) on Sunday denounced the detention of Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator vocal about Israel’s war on Gaza.

The organisation said Hamdi was detained by immigration officers at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday morning in response to his criticism of the Israeli government during his ongoing speaking tour.

“Everyone should recognise that arresting a British citizen legally visiting the United States because he dared to criticise a foreign nation’s genocide is our government’s latest blatant affront to free speech,” Cair said in a statement.

“Our nation must stop abducting critics of the Israeli government at the behest of unhinged Israel First bigots; this is an Israel First policy, not an America First policy, and it must end,” the group said. Hamdi has not been deported and remains in custody, Cair said.

Earlier this morning, ICE agents abducted British Muslim journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi at San Francisco Airport, apparently in response to his vocal criticism of the Israeli government during his ongoing speaking tour.

We can confirm that Mr. Hamdi has not been… https://t.co/dfcVGvz6UX

— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) October 26, 2025