(LOS ANGELES, CA – 11/16/2023) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today condemned the racist and anti-Palestinian comment allegedly made by a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) doctor.
SEE: Screenshot of Anti-Palestinian Social Media Comment by UCLA Doctor
A verified account on X (formerly Twitter), identifying the user as a doctor at UCLA, reportedly made a comment on the social media platform that stated, “Gaza Palestinians are pretty inbred” and implied Palestinians deserve to be bombed and killed.
Since Oct. 7, Israel has killed over 11,000 Palestinians in its ongoing and violent assault on Gaza.
In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:
“The statements reportedly made by this doctor raise serious ethical concerns, potentially impacting patient trust. In a field that demands compassion and fairness, there is no place for such hateful and racist rhetoric. It is every medical professional’s moral and legal responsibility to do no harm and treat every patient with respect, dignity, and equality—regardless of their race or national origin. These statements are deeply concerning and bring into question whether Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab patients would be treated with fairness and equality at UCLA Health.
“We call on UCLA to publicly condemn the statement made by the doctor and immediately investigate his actions. UCLA officials must also take appropriate action to ensure that all Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab patients and clients feel welcome and free of discrimination.”
CAIR-LA calls on UCLA to :
- Immediately publicly condemn the social media activity of the doctor, calling Palestinians inbred and approving of the indiscriminate bombing and murder of innocent Palestinians.
- Thoroughly investigate the doctor’s actions and take appropriate remedial action.
- Take appropriate measures and actions to ensure that your Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab patients and clients are made to feel welcome and not discriminated against.
CAIR-LA sent a letter addressed to UCLA Health President Johnese Spisso, Vice Chancellor Dr. John Mazziotta, and Health Equity Chief Dr. Medell Briggs-Malonson urging them to investigate the claims of anti-Palestinian comments from the UCLA doctor and take appropriate action to ensure a safe, inclusive environment for Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab patients as well as all UCLA Health patients.
If you or someone you know are the victim of a hate crime or incident, contact CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights department at (714) 776-1177 or click here
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com