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On Saturday, September 13, 2025, CAIR-Florida hosted the first of three annual galas under the theme “Legacy of Strength.” The opening event in Orlando will be followed by similar galas in South Florida and Tampa. Billed as celebrations of resilience and advocacy, the events raise serious concerns because of the choice of advertised keynote speakers. This year’s program includes Sami Hamdi, a London-based political consultant who has glorified Hamas and championed the October 7, 2023 ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ massacre in Israel – a day that left approximately 1200 people, mostly civilians, brutally murdered and 251 kidnapped.
Sami Hamdi’s October 7 Activities
On the day of the Hamas onslaught, Hamdi wasted no time in spreading terrorist propaganda. He reposted a video of a terrified 32-year-old Shiri Bibas and her two widely recognized redheaded young sons, Ariel and Kfir, being taken hostage by Hamas gunmen. Hamdi copied the clip from Saudi political activist Omar Abdulaziz, a Yahya Sinwar and Hamas fanboy. It heartlessly labels the bloodstained terrorist kidnappers as “people of humanity.” Tragically, Shiri’s parents were murdered the same day as the kidnappings, and her children were later returned by Hamas not alive, but as remains during a staged grotesque prisoner exchange.
Also on October 7, Hamdi filmed a news-style video of himself bearing his group’s name, International Interest, proudly describing the Hamas slaughter – which included rapes, beheadings, and the burning of families – as “unprecedented,” “a defiant display of force,” and “the most consequential attack on Israel in decades.” He said that it sent a “resounding message” against Arab states normalizing relations with Israel. He declared, “The scale of the Palestinian attack is an explosive reminder that the Palestinians are still here and… still matter.” He added that the massacre “inspires” others.
More October 7 Jubilation and “Fake News”
A week after the massacre, Hamdi spoke at the Al-Muzzammil Mosque in London, where he further praised the perpetrators. He stated, “We are pitying a people who brought a huge victory since 1948… They don’t want your pity. Celebrate the victory! Allah has shown the world that no normalization can erase the Palestinian cause. When everybody thought it was finished, it’s roaring! How many of you feel it in your hearts, when you got the news that it happened? How many of you felt the euphoria? Allah Akbar!” His chilling words were picked up by Middle East media monitor MEMRI, which was used by B’nai Brith to stop Hamdi from speaking in Canada.
On a video interview for the Yakeen Institute, published on October 16, 2023, Hamdi brazenly accused Israel of fabricating reports of atrocities, claiming such accounts were “fake news” put out without proof. This, while Hamas members themselves filmed their brutal acts on body cameras and phones and then posted the footage on websites and social media for the world to see.
Defending Hamas and Cursing Our President
Hamdi’s defense of Hamas did not end in October 2023. Over the following months, his social media footprint consistently echoed and amplified the messaging of Hamas-linked outlets:
This year, Hamdi posted videos produced by the terrorist sympathizer group CAGE International calling on the UK government to remove Hamas from its list of banned terrorist organizations, referring to the terrorist outfit as “Islamic Resistance,” and claiming that people may consider Hamas butchers to be “morally acceptable.” Hamdi made a further post featuring Hamas itself – along with its co-founder Mousa Abu Marzook – launching a legal campaign against the ban.
This past June, Hamdi posted a video on his social media, stating “Israel is a parasite.” Also in June, Hamdi declared that Israel, which he delegitimized by placing the nation in quotes, has “no right to self-defense.”
And Hamdi’s disdain is not limited to Israel. He has also compared U.S. President Donald Trump to Hitler, even outright calling him “Hitler.”
CAIR’s Own Longstanding Hamas Problem
Hamdi’s appearance at CAIR-Florida’s gala is not an accident – it fits into a troubling pattern. CAIR, both nationally and in Florida, has a history of ties to Hamas.
A Legacy of Glorifying Terror
By providing a platform to Sami Hamdi, CAIR-Florida is not celebrating a “Legacy of Strength” but rather endorsing its continued legacy of glorifying terror. True strength is not measured by excusing the actions of a terrorist group or mocking its victims.
Given Hamdi’s unapologetic glorification of Hamas terror, his defense of atrocities, and his promotion of Hamas propaganda networks, the United States should no longer permit him entry into our country. Allowing an individual who openly praises mass murder, calls Israel a “parasite,” and seeks to legitimize Hamas undermines our national security and emboldens those who wish us harm. Just as we bar foreign extremists tied to Al-Qaeda or ISIS, we must apply the same standard to Hamdi and his Hamas cheerleading. His presence on American soil poses not only a threat but an insult to the victims of terrorism worldwide.
Beila Rabinowitz, Director of Militant Islam Monitor, contributed to this report.