YUSRA Condemns Islamophobic Rhetoric in Ohio House Testimony
At today’s Ohio House Development Committee hearing, after YUSRA representative Rana Abuhashim delivered testimony opposing House Bill 188, Representative Steve Demetriou responded with a deeply Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian remark, asking:
“I guess yeah, to your point on Palestine and not being included in some trade or this bill specifically. I mean, do you think it's probably difficult to include the West Bank or Gaza because both those territories are being currently administered by a terrorist organization?”
Representative Demetriou’s framing reveals a fundamental ignorance of the reality in Palestine. Rather than engaging with Rana’s testimony on proven apartheid, genocide, and war crimes, he chose to label the victims of these atrocities as “terrorists.”
Demetriou’s remark is false, reckless, and revealing. The West Bank is governed by the Palestinian Authority under Israeli occupation, and Gaza’s leadership was democratically elected in 2006 under international monitoring. The real reason Palestine is excluded from trade and diplomacy is that it remains under an illegal military occupation propped up by U.S. tax dollars and weapons.
Israel’s system of apartheid, siege, and expansionism survives only through American financial and political sponsorship–a policy that increasingly violates U.S. interests, democratic values, and the moral will of its people.
Representative Demetriou’s language exposes a deeper problem: the extent to which foreign-influenced narratives have permeated even our state legislature, silencing honest debate and moral clarity.
YUSRA Organizing calls on lawmakers to reclaim independence, reject anti-Palestinian bigotry, and stand for justice consistent with American ideals.
We also call on Speaker Matt Huffman to take immediate steps to ensure that Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism are addressed in the legislature and that all members uphold the dignity and humanity of every community in Ohio.
YUSRA Organizing stands firmly against Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and all forms of hate that seek to delegitimize or dehumanize communities calling for justice and liberation.
Read & Watch Rana’s full testimony and Rep. Demetriou’s comment here.