By Ray Cardello for November 7, 2023, Season 23 / Post 3

The Pro Palestinian demonstrations or marches are growing in size and intensity. They are worldwide and in every major city in America. As the number of gatherings increases, the purpose and motivation of the participants become more confusing. Is their presence a show of support for Hamas or the Palestinians or a condemnation of Israel and the Jews?

The signs and banners are many, with messages like Let Gaza Live, End the Seige of Gaza, Free Palestine, Stop US-Funded Genocide, and Genocide Joe, We will vote you out. Over 450 organizations have endorsed the march, says the International People’s Assembly. In addition to an “immediate ceasefire,” the protesters are also calling for an end to US military aid to Israel and an end to the blockade on Gaza.

For the most part, these demonstrations have been peaceful, although I do not call the burning of American and Israeli flags peaceful. There are members of Congress who are stirring the anti-Israel rhetoric, and I find it hard to believe these people are representing the feelings of their constituents. The Squad, primarily Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), have been tireless in their anti-Israel rants. Let’s call it what it is-antisemitic statements that are meant to rile their pro-Palestinian or even pro-Hamas followers. It is one thing to have differences in this country. Our government was designed to have the checks and balances of opposing views. But there are times and situations where there is not a lot of room for debate, and the beheading of children, raping of women, and burning people alive should not require a lot of discussion for people with morals to see the wrong. But it is not only complicated but impossible to acknowledge these atrocities by Hamas for Omar and Tlaib. They still see Israel, which was attacked on October 7 and lost over one thousand innocents to this barbaric tribe, as the oppressor. They have no problem supporting a group with the mantra, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” That phrase has only one meaning, which is the obliteration of Israel and Jews. Tell me how these people are different from Adolph Hitler and his movement the world vowed would never happen again.

I have not been a fan of Hakeem Jeffries and do not understand his high status in the Democrat Party. He is the Minority Leader of the House, but other than his integral role in the harassment and impeachment of Donald Trump, I do not see his value to his Party. I watched him sit through the weeks of turmoil as the Republicans sought a compromise individual to replace Speaker McCarthy with this pompous Cheshire smirk on his face, obviously enjoying the opposition’s dysfunction. He can show leadership by getting these Squad members to tone down the rhetoric. If they want to be activists for Palestinians, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Muslim people who want to eradicate Israel, then they should resign their seats and join the ignorant college students protesting on campuses nationwide.

I am not talking about censorship or shutting down differences in opinion. What Omar and Tlaib are doing is anti-American and anti-Semitic, and will lead to violence and danger to Americans. These protests are getting more extensive and passionate, and it is just a matter of time before that passion turns to altercation. These two women are condoning atrocities and inciting violence. Is this not a situation in which a leader needs to rise and shut it down? Jeffries needs to turn the smirk into a scowl and get these women to understand their responsibilities to Congress, America, and, most importantly, their constituents. To sit back and do nothing, Jeffries is condoning and complicit in their words and actions.