Cair Urges Nobel Peace Prize Winner to Reject Zionism and Fascism

A prominent civil rights organization, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair), has called on Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado to renounce her support for Zionism and fascism. This appeal follows her recent award of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, a decision that Cair claims undermines the award’s integrity. The group highlighted Machado’s connections to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and right-wing political groups in Europe as a basis for their criticism.

Cair’s statement expressed strong disapproval of the Nobel Prize committee’s choice, citing Machado’s past participation at a conference attended by European far-right figures, including Geert Wilders and Marie Le Pen. During this conference, discussions included references to the historical ethnic cleansing of Spanish Muslims and Jews in the 1500s. Cair emphasized the importance of selecting awardees who demonstrate moral consistency and advocate for justice universally.

In their statement, Cair asserted, “An anti-Muslim bigot and supporter of European fascism would have no place being mentioned alongside the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other worthy winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.” They urged the Nobel committee to reconsider its decision, indicating that it had damaged its own reputation by selecting Machado.

Machado’s political affiliations are noteworthy. She has expressed her support for Netanyahu’s Likud Party, even reaching out to him in a 2018 letter requesting assistance in toppling Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In 2020, Machado formalized an alliance between her political party and the Likud Party. She has also been vocal about relocating the Venezuelan embassy in Israel to Jerusalem if she gains power, stating, “The struggle of Venezuela is the struggle of Israel.”

The controversy surrounding Machado intensified earlier this year when she delivered virtual remarks at the far-right Patriots of Europe conference in Madrid. This event featured speakers who openly criticized immigration and called for a new “Reconquista,” referring to the historical reconquest of territories in Spain and Portugal. Reports from Reuters highlighted the presence of anti-Muslim advocates at the event, raising further concerns about Machado’s affiliations.

After receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, Machado dedicated the award to Donald Trump and the suffering Venezuelan people. She stated, “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause.” Trump’s administration has demonstrated its commitment to Venezuela, notably deploying warships off its coast to target drug cartels.

Cair’s call to action reflects a broader conversation about the values represented by the Nobel Peace Prize and the implications of honoring individuals with controversial political ties. As the debate unfolds, the Nobel Prize committee faces scrutiny regarding its selection criteria and the societal impact of its awards.