Ayman Nassar, who replaced a member of the Maryland Commission on Hate Crimes Response and Prevention who praised Hamas as “Palestinian freedom fighters,” recently resigned, citing what he called a “smear campaign.”
Nassar, CEO of the Islamic Leadership Institute, has accused Israel of stealing the organs of Palestinians, among other antisemitic charges.
Jennifer Donelan, a spokeswoman for Anthony Brown, the Maryland attorney general, confirmed the resignation in a statement to JNS. (The commission is part of the attorney general’s office.)
“The commission, comprised of dedicated individuals who are committed to addressing these important issues, is charged with the development of strategies to address hate crimes and hate bias activity and the evaluation of Maryland laws and policies related to hate crimes,” Donelan said. “The Office of the Attorney General is extending outreach to the Muslim community across Maryland as it launches a search to fill the now-vacated seat.”
She added that it is “critical that commission membership reflects those communities that have been most impacted by hate activity in Maryland.”
At press time, Nassar was still listed on the commission’s website.