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During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on hate crimes, Senator John Kennedy (R-La.) repeatedly accused Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, of supporting terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Despite Berry's clear denials, Kennedy persisted in his questioning, ultimately telling her to 'hide her head in a bag.' The hearing, which initially aimed to address the rise in hate crimes, was overshadowed by this exchange. Rights groups and other senators have condemned Kennedy's remarks as racist and defamatory, calling for an apology and accountability.