Title: Outpouring of Extreme Statements from Republican Politicians Threatens Safety of Arab Americans, Muslim Groups Warn
Date: Thu 19 Oct 2023 13.00 CEST
In the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, an outpouring of extreme statements from Republican politicians has raised concerns about the safety of Arab Americans, according to warnings from Muslim groups. The inflammatory rhetoric has escalated tensions and has been criticized for fueling hatred and promoting violence.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham expressed a desire to see Gaza flattened, while Congressman Max Miller called for the suspension of laws of war. In a tweet, former US ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, suggested that all Palestinians were responsible for Hamas’s crimes.
The Republican Party has swiftly aligned itself with Israel following the unprecedented attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people and the abduction of approximately 200 others. Some politicians, echoing the Israel Defence Forces’ demand, have framed the conflict as a choice between standing with Israel or supporting terrorism, reminiscent of the post-9/11 rhetoric in the US.
The dangerous nature of the extreme language used by Republican politicians was highlighted when a six-year-old boy was killed and his mother was injured in an apparent hate crime in Illinois, prompted by the Israel-Hamas conflict. The assailant, Joseph Czuba, reportedly shouted, “You Muslims must die!” According to Muslim groups, such rhetoric puts Arab Americans at risk and fosters an environment of hate.
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen denounced the demonization and dehumanization of all Palestinians and Muslims, acknowledging the need to call out Hamas while also condemning acts of hate. However, these sentiments were overshadowed by the belligerent language used by some Republicans.
Senator Graham characterized the conflict as a “religious war” and called for the leveling of Gaza. Senator Tom Cotton echoed this sentiment, stating that Israel should hold responsibility for anything that happens in Gaza. Senator Marco Rubio called for Israel to respond disproportionately, while Governor Ron DeSantis suggested that all Palestinians were complicit in Hamas’s crimes.
Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, claimed to have seen footage of kidnapped Israeli children being held in metal cages. However, fact-checkers found that the video was circulating online before the attack and that the false claim was made by a right-wing UK group.
The extreme rhetoric has not been limited to politicians, as it has also permeated right-wing television and radio. Joel Pollak, a senior editor at large at Breitbart News, endorsed the ethnic cleansing of Gaza to force out the Palestinian population. He stated that expelling Palestinians from Gaza, while controversial, could be a potential solution. Pollak also tweeted, “There will never be a Palestinian state. It’s over.”
While the Republican Party appears unified in its support for Israel, divisions exist among conservatives who oppose US military involvement in conflicts abroad. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson warned that the Hamas attack could lead to broader conflicts, potentially escalating to nuclear war.
Cautious voices caution against the dangers of escalating the conflict and emphasize the importance of civilian protection. Democratic representatives such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pramila Jayapal, and Jason Crow raised concerns about demonization and stressed the need for peaceful resolutions.
The divisive rhetoric from Republican politicians has sparked fears among Muslim groups about the safety of Arab Americans. It is crucial for political leaders to exercise restraint and promote dialogue to prevent further violence and hatred in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.
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