US activist challenges FBI watchlist placement amid pro-Palestinian advocacy

A U.S. human rights activist reported being placed on a secret watchlist by the FBI due to his pro-Palestinian activism, highlighting ongoing tensions between civil liberties and national security measures in the United States.

Osama Abuirshaid revealed that he discovered his inclusion on an FBI watchlist during a trip this June, despite having been removed from a similar list in 2017. “The watchlist targets what they refer to as ‘suspected’ or ‘known terrorists.’ It has a very broad scope. No one knows the criteria for placement on that list,” he said.

Abuirshaid described the difficulties he faces when traveling, such as being unable to check in online or use self-service kiosks at airports. Instead, he must go through a separate security procedure that requires him to provide extensive personal information and undergo thorough baggage searches. “I’ve missed so many flights. I’ve been subjected to so much harassment,” he said.

According to Abuirshaid, a federal agent at the airport explicitly linked his placement on the list to his activism for Palestine and his opposition to what he terms “genocide in Gaza.” He sees his inclusion on the list as an attempt to silence his advocacy for Palestinian rights and his criticism of U.S. policy on Gaza. “There’s no other way for me to understand it other than that the government is trying to silence me and deter me from advocating for Palestinian rights,” Abuirshaid said.

He attributes the targeting of U.S. citizens to changing public perceptions about Palestinians, particularly noting increased activism in schools and public spaces. “Israel can intimidate, it can silence, but it can’t win unless we give in to its pressure.”

Legal proceedings begin

The activist has initiated legal proceedings against his inclusion on the FBI watchlist with support from the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) Los Angeles office.

CAIR Los Angeles Legal Director Amr Shabaik stated that they have documented numerous cases of pro-Palestinian supporters being placed under FBI surveillance since October 7. He emphasized that what federal agents are doing is entirely unlawful.

The FBI’s secret watchlist has been a subject of controversy since its existence was revealed by a Swiss hacker in 2019. The list, reportedly containing millions of American Muslims’ personal data, allows for increased scrutiny of the individuals listed at airports and other public spaces.

CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell previously noted that the watchlist has led to severe consequences for some American Muslims, including closed bank accounts and intrusive questioning during travel.