Russia Rejects Pelosi Claim of Role in US Pro-Palestinian Protests
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Russia on Friday dismissed claims by former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that Moscow encouraged pro-Palestinian protests across the United States, calling her remarks an insult to American voters.
The senior Democrat has linked the protests to alleged foreign influence on multiple occasions, including in a recent Irish public broadcaster Raidio Teilifis Eireann (RTE).
According to RT, she also criticized the 'Genocide Joe' nickname for President Joe Biden over his failure to pressure Israel into showing more restraint in its military campaign in Gaza.
Pelosi acknowledged the protests could impact Biden's support ahead of the 2024 presidential election, alleging Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted Donald Trump to win.
"It's in Putin's interest for – what's his name? – to win. And therefore I see some encouragement on the part of the Russians of some of what is going on," she said of the protests.
"Pro-Palestinian activists are genuine...but some of it has a Russian tinge to it."
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Pelosi's remarks "can only be taken as an insult to the Americans and a disregard for democracy."
In January, Pelosi called for an FBI probe into pro-Palestinian group financing, claiming demands for a Gaza ceasefire were "Putin's message."
She also told protesters outside her home to "go back to China" where their "headquarters" were.
Biden’s approval ratings have taken a hit among Democratic voters over his pro-Israeli stance, although Pelosi insisted Biden has been "the biggest advocate for humanitarian assistance to Palestinians" despite his pro-Israel stance.
"The groups outside with their protest lay some blame at his doorstep, when he is the only one advocating at that level," she added.
This week, US authorities cracked down on pro-Palestinian rallies at universities like Yale, Harvard, Texas and USC, with mass arrests reported.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the crackdown, branding activists "anti-Semitic mobs" and comparing them to Nazi sympathizers in the 1930s.
Putin has said he would be more comfortable with Biden, who is "predictable" and "old-school," than Trump as the next US president.
