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As was entirely predictable, some of the most vociferous purveyors of lies and libels about Israeli “genocide” have been falling all over themselves to denounce Elias Rodriguez and his “Free Palestine” murders of two Israelis outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. The thoroughly indoctrinated leftist street thugs may have no problem with openly applauding the murders, but far-left leaders have to maintain their reputations, and so even some of the most voluble foes of the Jewish state have been condemning antisemitism. It is, however, too little and too late: the left has by now made it abundantly clear that the Washington murders are just the sort of thing they want. And there will be more of them.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Hate Trump) released a statement full of the usual and expected boilerplate, saying: “I am horrified by the deadly act of antisemitic violence at an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. As we await additional details, it is clear that too many of our Jewish brothers and sisters legitimately fear for their safety in this country simply as a result of their faith. Antisemitism has no place in our nation, and its rise must be urgently crushed by people of goodwill across America and throughout the world. We strongly support the loved ones of the Israeli embassy staff murdered, and our prayers are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic attack. America will stand firmly with the Jewish community during this great hour of need.”
Swell. Back on April 8, 2024, however, Jeffries (like nearly everyone else) was taking Hamas’ casualty figures and claims of Israeli atrocities at face value. His statement on that day was an adroit exercise in equivocation: “Hamas must be decisively defeated so that the atrocities that occurred on October 7 never happen again and the hostages are safely returned home. At the same time, it is critically important that Israel prosecute the war against Hamas with surgical precision in a manner that substantially mitigates the possibility that innocent Palestinian civilians and humanitarian relief workers are killed or harmed in any way. The death of thousands of Palestinian women, children and civilians over the last six months is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing. The IDF must conduct itself at all times in strict adherence to the international rules of war.”
Let’s remember also that Jeffries said this regarding the “extreme MAGA Republican agenda”: “We are going to fight it legislatively. We are going to fight it in the courts. We’re going to fight it in the streets.” Would he want his minions to fight in the streets against Israel’s alleged violations of the international rules of war? It certainly wouldn’t have been difficult for any of his admirers to get that idea.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-Cheeseburgers) has also reportedly condemned Rodriguez’s attack. In April 2024, however, he identified “radical right-wing Israelis” and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “obstacles to peace.” He claimed that Netanyahu “won’t commit to a military operation in Rafah that prioritizes protecting civilian life. He won’t engage responsibly in discussions about a ‘day-after’ plan for Gaza, and a longer-term pathway to peace.” Schumer also said this in 2020, when condemning the pro-life leanings of Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh: “I want to tell you, Gorsuch; I want to tell you, Kavanaugh: You have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price.” Would it be beyond the realm of possibility that some admirer of Schumer might get the idea that “radical right-wing Israelis” have also “released the whirlwind” and should “pay the price”?
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Swizzle Stick) wrote on Thursday: “Absolutely nothing justifies the murder of innocents. I am devastated by the killing of two people outside an
@AJCGlobal event here in Washington. Our prayers are with the victims, families, and loved ones of all impacted. As we await more details, we must be clear that hatred has no home here. Antisemitism is a threat to all we hold dear as a society. It must be confronted and rooted out everywhere.”
Yet when leftist activist Luigi Mangione murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, AOC obliquely opened the door to justification of the murder, saying: “This is not to say that an act of violence is justified, but I think for anyone who is confused or shocked or appalled, they need to understand that people interpret and feel and experience denied claims as an act of violence against them.” AOC has also been a fierce critic of Israel. Might any of her many followers get the idea that it is justified for them to strike back with actual violence against the evil Israelis and the supporters of Israel?
The left wants to have it both ways. Leftist leaders repeatedly justify violence, and then disclaim any responsibility when the violence they have incited actually erupts. The reality, however, is that the left loves violence and terror, and always rules by them once it gains power. The American left is clearly no different from its Soviet, Chinese, Cambodian, and French revolutionary precursors.
