Even Al Sharpton, notorious anti-Semite, sounds reasonable by comparison
What happened: Hamas terrorists stormed into Israel and slaughtered more than 1,000 people.
What happened next: Some liberals in the United States took to the streets to celebrate the massacre of Jews. Others scrambled to blame former president Donald Trump for the terrorists’ actions. America’s elite universities responded as expected.
Dozens of student organizations at Harvard, as well as the dean of the Graduate School of Education, released statements blaming Israel for the murder of innocent civilians at the hands of Hamas.
Gillian Lester, dean of Columbia Law School, vaguely lamented the “violence that erupted in Israel and Gaza” while declining to mention Hamas or the terrorist group’s unprovoked rampage against civilians.
An anti-Israel student organization at Swarthmore College praised Hamas for having “valiantly confronted the imperial apparatus” and celebrated “the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for liberation.”
Why it matters: It is deplorable, for starters. The morally feckless response from America’s elite cultural institutions was exacerbated by the formidable response from Playboy magazine and other unlikely sources of moral clarity.
Playboy
The men’s entertainment magazine cut ties with Mia Khalifa, a former porn actress and OnlyFans model, in response to her “disgusting and reprehensible comments celebrating Hamas’ attacks on Israel and the murder of innocent men, women and children.” Khalifa had urged the Hamas “freedom fighters” posting videos of their atrocities against Israeli civilians to “flip their phones and film horizontal.”
Madonna
The former pop star and sex icon denounced the ”unfathomable” assault by the “terrorist organization” Hamas. “My heart goes out to Israel,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
Amy Schumer
The mid-tier sex comedian posted an unequivocal condemnation of Hamas. “There is no other side,” she wrote. “Hamas is a terrorist organization. Stop sitting at home wondering how to be diplomatic. They want to murder all Jews.”
Jill Zarin, Real Housewives of New York City
The reality star did not hold back. “Hamas has launched a war on Israel, killing scores of Israelis and taking civilians hostage,” she wrote. “America must stand with Israel as it protects its people.”
New York Jets
The woebegone NFL franchise condemned the “vicious attacks by Hamas on the innocent people of Israel.”
Philadelphia 76ers
The perennially underperforming NBA team issued the following statement: “We stand with the people of Israel and join them in mourning the hundreds of innocent lives lost to terrorism at the hands of Hamas.”
PhillyVoice
The local media outlet fired NBA reporter Jackson Frank, who responded to the 76ers’ statement by writing: ”This post sucks! Solidarity with Palestine always.”
Hewlett Packard
Antonio Neri, CEO of the printing conglomerate, wrote: “The attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians is unjustified and inexcusable.”
The MSNBC host came across as semi-reasonable during his interview with anti-Israel activist Diana Buttu, who refused to condemn the Hamas atrocities after Sharpton pressed her several times to do so. “It’s the natural consequence of [Israeli oppression],” she said. “I didn’t do it.”
Barack Obama, Netflix producer
The celebrity filmmaker and Martha’s Vineyard resident spent several days workshopping his response to the slaughter of Israeli civilians by Hamas. Nevertheless, Obama’s statement was still significantly better than the ones coming out of the Ivy League.
“All Americans should be horrified and outraged by the brazen terrorist attacks on Israel and the slaughter of innocent civilians,” he wrote. “We grieve for those who died, pray for the safe return of those who’ve been held hostage, and stand squarely alongside our ally, Israel, as it dismantles Hamas.”
Bottom line: Our elite institutions are rotten to the core.
How does Playboy’s decision to sever ties with Mia Khalifa reflect their stance on endorsing violence and terrorism?
He script” and film the attacks horizontally for better viewing. Playboy’s decision to sever ties with Khalifa was a clear statement against endorsing or promoting individuals who support violence and terrorism.
Similarly, other unexpected voices have emerged to condemn the celebration of Hamas’ actions. A conservative commentator, Dinesh D’Souza, tweeted that “Hamas terrorists are using our freedoms to plot the destruction of those freedoms” and called for a unified response against terrorism. This sentiment was echoed by Al Sharpton, a controversial figure known for his inflammatory and divisive rhetoric. Sharpton, who has a history of anti-Semitic remarks, surprisingly criticized the liberal celebration of Hamas, stating that “defending terrorists is indefensible.”
The fact that even Sharpton, a notorious anti-Semite, can sound more reasonable than those who celebrate the murder of innocent civilians speaks volumes about the moral bankruptcy of some elements within the liberal establishment. While it is important to advocate for peace, justice, and human rights for all people, it is essential to condemn terrorism and violence in a consistent and unequivocal manner.
The response of America’s elite universities, such as Harvard and Columbia, is particularly concerning. By blaming Israel for the violence perpetrated by Hamas, these institutions are perpetuating a dangerous narrative that seeks to delegitimize and demonize the Jewish state. This biased portrayal ignores the fact that Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by numerous countries and has a long history of targeting innocent civilians.
Moreover, the celebration of Hamas by student organizations at these universities demonstrates a disturbing trend of radicalization and the promotion of hatred. Praising a terrorist group for their violence and attributing noble motives to their actions is not only morally reprehensible but also undermines any notion of peace, coexistence, and dialogue.
It is encouraging to see unconventional voices like Playboy stepping up and making a statement against supporting individuals who endorse violence. This highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their words and actions, regardless of their background or profession. The condemnation of Mia Khalifa’s endorsement of Hamas sends a powerful message that terrorism should never be glorified or celebrated.
In conclusion, the celebration of Hamas’ attacks on Israel and the subsequent blame placed on Israel by some liberal institutions and organizations is deeply troubling. It is a manifestation of moral bankruptcy and a failure to condemn terrorism unequivocally. The surprising condemnation from unexpected sources, such as Playboy and even Al Sharpton, underscores the urgency to reject violence and terrorism in all its forms. It is crucial for society to stand united against those who support or glorify acts of violence, and to promote a culture of peace, understanding, and respect for human life.
Now loading...