The assassination of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington exemplifies the lethal consequences of hateful rhetoric surrounding Middle East conflict. The alleged murderer, Elias Rodriguez, invoked extremist slogans like "Free, free Palestine" which reflect incitement to violence, not calls for peace. This incident highlights a troubling trend of escalating anti-Semitism and violence against the Jewish community, exacerbated by terrorist attacks like those of Hamas, resulting in unprecedented tragedies and loss for the Jewish people. The portrayal of Israel in these contexts fuels further violence and division, culminating in actions with irreversible consequences.
The chants that surely inspired Rodriguez - a left-wing extremist without clear links to Islam and the Middle East - tell the story: "Globalize the intifada," "We are all Hamas," "F-k the Zionists," and "By any means necessary." Those are unmistakable calls to hatred, incitement, and violence.
What does "Free, free Palestine" mean? It sure isn't a cry for peace or coexistence. Rather, it's a call for the annihilation or expulsion of nearly 10 million Israelis.
Instead, they will be buried amidst untold grief, sorrow, loss, and anger. The alleged murderer, American-born Elias Rodriguez, shouted, "Free, free Palestine."
Hamas, a terrorist group according to the United States and European Union, attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
Collection
[
|
...
]