Activist challenges FBI watchlist for targeting him over Palestinian advocacy
American human rights activist Osama Abuirshaid has alleged that the FBI placed him on a secret watchlist due to his advocacy for Palestine.
Abuirshaid, who discovered his watchlist status during travel this June, asserted that his inclusion is a retaliation for his criticism of US policies on Gaza and his activism.
He reported severe travel disruptions, including missed flights and invasive security checks, linking these issues to his Free Palestine stance.
Abuirshaid is challenging his watchlist inclusion through legal action with support from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
CAIR has noted a rise in surveillance of Palestinian advocates since early October last year, calling the FBI’s actions illegal and a violation of civil liberties.
The secretive nature of the FBI’s watchlist, exposed by a Swiss hacker in 2019, continues to spark controversy over its impact on American Muslims and activists.
CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said the watchlist has led to severe consequences for some American Muslims, including closed bank accounts and intrusive questioning during travel.
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