Pro-Israel US governor labels Muslim civil rights organisation a ‘terror group’

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has issued an executive order branding the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) a “foreign terrorist organisation”, mirroring a move taken by Texas last month. He extended the same label to the Muslim Brotherhood, even though neither group appears on the US government's official terrorist list.

The order, posted on X, instructs Florida agencies to block Cair, the Muslim Brotherhood, or anyone accused of supporting them from receiving state contracts, jobs or funding.

Cair, along with its Florida chapter, said in an emailed statement that it will sue DeSantis, calling the move an “unconstitutional” and “defamatory” proclamation. The organisation, founded in 1994, now operates 25 chapters across the United States.

The group has already taken legal action against a similar proclamation from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, arguing in court filings that the order is “not only contrary to the United States Constitution, but finds no support in any Texas law”.

Although the issue focuses on US domestic policy, the broader context is hard to ignore: Israel and its supporters have long targeted Cair and other Muslim advocacy groups, often smearing them with baseless “terror” accusations in retaliation for their criticism of Israeli apartheid, occupation and US complicity.

In its official statement, the organisation said it has always denounced terrorism and antisemitism, and that Abbott's move is ultimately designed to curtail criticism of Israel. 

“Greg Abbott is an Israel First politician who has spent months stoking anti-Muslim hysteria to smear American Muslims critical of the Israeli government," Cair said. 

"By defaming another prominent American Muslim institution with debunked conspiracy theories and made-up quotes, Mr Abbott has once again shown that his top priority is advancing anti-Muslim bigotry, not serving the people of Texas. His latest publicity stunt has no basis in fact or law, nor can it stop our civil rights work," the statement read.