US health chief faces widespread rebuke over his anti-Arab remarks

US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced widespread criticism from civil rights groups, healthcare advocates, and Democrats on Tuesday following his anti-Arab remarks. The Council on American-Islamic Relations labeled his comments as a "textbook display of unvarnished racism and bigotry." Kennedy made false claims during a campaign event in Michigan, stating that Arabs have not won major international awards and do not produce science or literature.

However, this is inaccurate, as Arabs have won numerous awards and made significant contributions to science and literature. Peter Hotez, a professor at the Baylor College of Medicine, disagreed with Kennedy's comments, pointing out that Nobel Prize winner Ahmed Zewail, who was Arab, would likely disagree. US rights advocates have raised concerns about the escalating rhetoric against Muslims, Arabs, immigrants, and ethnic minorities during the midterm election campaign. The department of health and human services did not respond to a request for comment.