It's Time to Stop Blaming Israel

Surprise! Surprise! Hamas has broken another ceasefire in Gaza and is again sending rockets into Israel.

So why the loud condemnations of Israel in much of the world and by so many in America’s liberal, media and political establishments for its justifiable self-defense yet silence from the same groups on Hamas’ terrorist acts?

Why the silence from Israel’s detractors on the world wide persecution and killing of Christians by Islamic terrorists on a level not seen since the Nazi’s tried to exterminate all the Jews in Europe.

To name a few:

• The slaughter of Christians by ISIS terrorists in Iraq causing over 100,000 Christians to flee their homes and the real threat of genocidal killing of over 40,000 Christians and religious minorities trapped in the mountains of Iraq.
• The killing of over 100 people in two incidents in Kenya, last September and this June, who admitted their Christianity by Somalian terrorists linked to al-Qaida.
• The kidnapping of nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls by the radical Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram which has burned churches and murdered Christians.

As to condemning these acts of terror against Christians:

• Where are all of those who were so anxious to criticize Israel for defending itself against Hamas terrorism?
• Where were and are those who protested against Israel in front of the White House just last week?
• Where is CAIR — The Council on American-Islamic Relations whose core principles listed on its website include condemning "all acts of violence against civilians by any individual, group or state”?
• Where are the leaders of the American Muslim community?
• Where are the leaders of the America’s religious communities?

Nowhere to be found!

When will liberal academic and political elites realize that Israel is not our enemy and that its enemies are our enemies and they would destroy us both?

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Obama:
“Israel and the United States share common values ... defend common interests and face common enemies ... Israel and America stand together.”

He also said, “Israel has the sovereign right to make its own decision ... to defend itself ... by itself ... against any threat.”

That sums it up pretty well.

Given that scenario, I do not understand why the black political and civil rights leadership is not in the forefront of defending Israel and condemning Hamas in Gaza and other terrorists groups persecuting Christians in Africa and throughout the world.

According to a recent PEW Research poll, while whites believed by a margin of 40 percent to 22 percent — about two to one — that Israel’s response to Hamas terrorism was reasonable, blacks and Hispanics on the other hand were more likely to say that Israel had gone too far — 36 percent — 27 percent and 35 percent — 28 percent — respectively.

I was a bit surprised with the black response since Islamic terrorists have shown they have no special regard for blacks — African or American — than they do for Jews in America, Israel or anywhere else in the world.

Just recall the hundreds of black Africans killed and thousands wounded in the 1998 bombings of our Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; the hundreds of black Americans killed in the 9/11 terror attacks, and those African blacks killed in the incidents sighted above

Terrorists are color blind killers — they do not care about the color, race, age or gender of their victims. If Hamas could slaughter blacks to make its point, it surely would and if using Palestinian children and women as human shields serves their public relations purposes, so be it.

Given this history of color blind terrorism, one would think that blacks — and their leaders — would be among the loudest to condemn Hamas for the rocket assaults on Israel and, hiding rocket launchers in or near schools and hospitals.

There is also another reason.

Historically, some of the staunchest allies of black political, economic advancement and civil rights have been members of the American Jewish community:

• They worked with dedicated black attorneys in the fight for civil and human rights.
• They marched with Dr. King and others in countless cities throughout the South.
• They were murdered and beaten during the civil rights struggles of the 60’s — Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were shot with James Chaney in June of 1964 by members of the Mississippi Ku Klux Klan.
• They served on the boards of local Urban Leagues, NAACP branches, and poverty programs, and provided important input and financial support to black causes throughout the nation.

The fact remains that those who are members of the Jewish faith and steadfast supporters of Israel have done far more in the cause for equality for black Americans than virtually any other ethnic group.

Although there are growing numbers of black Americans who are embracing the Islamic faith, we must keep in mind that the foundation of much of American black spiritual and religious tradition is founded upon Judeo-Christian history and culture.

This is not the time for black Americans, or anyone else, to criticize Israel for defending itself against Hamas.

They, and their leaders, and the silent groups cited above, should quit blaming the victim and start condemning Hamas and all Islamic terrorists for their world-wide persecution of Jews and Christians alike.

Clarence V. McKee is president of McKee Communications, Inc., a government, political, and media relations consulting firm in Florida. He held several positions in the Reagan administration as well as in the Reagan presidential campaigns and has appeared on many national and local media outlets. Read more reports from Clarence V. McKee — Click Here Now.