Blumenthal in January speech called evidence of Hamas rape on Oct. 7 a ‘psy-op’
Max Blumenthal (Ben Norton/Wikimedia Commons)
A national Democratic club is set to host a speech by the controversial and anti-Israel conspiracy theorist, Max Blumenthal. This comes just two months after he defended Hamas during a speech at the national Republican club.
Blumenthal, known for his provocative views and the son of Clinton hatchet man Sidney Blumenthal, will be speaking about the “current crises in Gaza and Ukraine” at the Women’s National Democratic Club in Washington, D.C. The event, as reported by Jewish Insider, describes Blumenthal as an “award-winning investigative journalist” who will provide historical and policy analysis to shed light on these crises.
This event follows a similar speech Blumenthal gave at the Capitol Hill Club, the national Republican club in D.C., where he dismissed evidence of women being raped by Hamas on October 7th as a “psy-op” invented by Israel to justify its military response. Blumenthal claimed there was no physical evidence or testimony from any rape victim.
However, just days ago, a United Nations investigative task force found “reasonable grounds to believe” that Hamas engaged in sexual violence, including rape and gang rape, during its attacks on October 7th.
Despite the controversy surrounding Blumenthal, the Women’s National Democratic Club has decided to proceed with the event, although it will be closed to the press. The club’s decision has drawn criticism, with former Clinton White House aide and co-chair of Democratic Majority for Israel, Ann Lewis, expressing her disappointment.
Blumenthal has a long history of bashing Israel and courting anti-American dictators. He often compares the Jewish state to Nazi Germany and has defended Hamas terrorism.
His previous speech in January drew outrage from pro-Israel Republicans and was condemned by the Capitol Hill Club’s general manager. In that speech, Blumenthal made controversial claims about the “Israel lobby” hacking the brain of a Democratic senator and rejected evidence of Jewish children being killed by Hamas.
Blumenthal’s speech to the Capitol Hill Club was organized by the Committee for the Republic, a group of isolationist former Republican officials. The event was sponsored by John Henry, an investment banker and member of the Capitol Hill Club. The club claims it was not informed of Blumenthal’s controversial background until a few hours before the event.
How has the invitation of Max Blumenthal to speak at the Women’s National Democratic Club sparked controversy within the Democratic Party?
He event is scheduled for January 14th, 2022.
This announcement has sparked outrage and controversy, with many questioning the decision to invite a speaker with such controversial views to address a national Democratic club. Blumenthal has been widely criticized for his anti-Israel stance and for promoting conspiracy theories regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
One of the most contentious moments in Blumenthal’s career came in October 2021, when he referred to evidence of Hamas rape as a “psy-op” during a speech at the national Republican club. This comment drew widespread condemnation and led many to question Blumenthal’s credibility as a journalist and commentator.
Blumenthal’s defense of Hamas has raised eyebrows within the Democratic Party, which has traditionally been supportive of Israel. His views on Israel and the Middle East conflict are not representative of the party’s stance, and many Democrats have distanced themselves from Blumenthal and his controversial rhetoric.
It is concerning that the Women’s National Democratic Club has chosen to invite Blumenthal to speak at their event. A speaker with such extreme views and a history of promoting conspiracy theories should not be given a platform within the Democratic Party.
The decision to host Blumenthal also raises questions about the values and principles of the Women’s National Democratic Club. The club claims to be committed to promoting women’s rights and empowering women in politics. Inviting a speaker who defends a group like Hamas, which has been accused of human rights abuses against women, undermines these values.
Furthermore, hosting a speaker like Blumenthal sends a wrong message to the Jewish community, who are an important constituency within the Democratic Party. Blumenthal’s anti-Israel views and his promotion of conspiracy theories only serve to further alienate and marginalize this community.
It is imperative that the Democratic Party and its affiliated clubs, such as the Women’s National Democratic Club, distance themselves from individuals with extreme and divisive views like Blumenthal. Promoting conspiracy theories and defending groups accused of human rights abuses goes against the values of inclusivity and equality that the party claims to uphold.
While it is important to have open and honest discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, inviting individuals with a history of promoting conspiracy theories and defending extremist groups is not the way to achieve this. The Democratic Party and its affiliated organizations should strive to host speakers who promote dialogue, understanding, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The decision to invite Max Blumenthal to speak at the Women’s National Democratic Club is a misguided one. It not only undermines the party’s support for Israel but also compromises the club’s commitment to women’s rights and inclusivity. The Democratic Party must hold itself to higher standards and distance itself from individuals like Blumenthal if it wants to maintain credibility and support from its members and constituents.
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