One of the most shameful components of the Harris/Biden administration's Middle East policy and rhetoric is their disproportionate pressure and criticism of Israel -- particularly when juxtaposed against their shockingly scant attention to the US citizens being held against their will by Hamas, the terrorists who started this war. Kamala Harris and Joe Biden have been trying to walk the line between 'supporting' Israel, and appeasing anti-Israel forces within their own administration, as well as the pro-Hamas bigots in their political base. They've basically pleased nobody as a result, and I'm sure they're happy to barely talk about the issue at all, even as Americans languish in Hamas captivity. There is ample reason to believe a President Harris would be significantly worse on the Israel issue than Biden has been. Everyone understands that Joe Biden himself does not operate his social media. Indeed, it's unclear how much of his own presidency he controls at this point, hence his blockbuster decision announced yesterday.
But imagine being a heartsick, tortured family member of one of the hostages and seeing this striking omission in a presidential pronouncement on this general subject:
Wild to tweet this without the names of American hostages in Gaza https://t.co/cJPoM53Rv4
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) July 19, 2024
It's good to decry the sham "conviction" of journalist Evan Gershkovich by Russia's regime, and Paul Whelan also needs to come home (this administration appeared to prioritize the release of Brittney Griner over Whelan, paying a very high price for her freedom). However, tweeting about "Americans wrongfully detained and held hostage abroad," and not mentioning the five stuck in Gaza, just have felt like a kick in the gut to their loved ones. By contrast, at last week's Republican National Convention, the plight of our hostages was featured on multiple occasions. Chants of 'bring them home' echoed through the hall during this moving speech:
"Where is the outrage? Where is it? This was not merely an attack on Israel. This was and remains an attack on Americans."
— ABC News (@ABC) July 18, 2024
Orna and Ronen Neutra, parents of Hamas hostage Omer Neutra, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, address RNC, leading attendees in a chant of "Bring them home." pic.twitter.com/secwRD9U4n
Donald Trump himself underscored the point in his lengthy acceptance speech Thursday night:
"And to the entire world, I tell you this, we want our hostages back.
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyDillon) July 19, 2024
And they better be back before I assume office, or you will be paying a very big price."
-Trump at the RNC just now pic.twitter.com/JnhKnlEiku
That line, which was welcomed with a burst of applause by delegates, prompted this observation by the Wall Street Journal's editors:
WSJ editorial cites Trump’s line on the hostages as one of his best of the night—“more forceful than anything Mr. Biden has said in four years.” pic.twitter.com/Vqisevqm46
— Elliot Kaufman (@ElliotKaufman6) July 19, 2024
Trump can be morally adrift when speaking about 'hostages,' but this moral clarity is on point and very welcome, especially compared to the weak alternative. Israel, incidentally, is still under attack. Hamas perpetrated the October 7 massacre, and routinely lobs rockets from Gaza. Hezbollah continues to menace and attack Israel's north. Iran, which supports all the groups engaged in these acts, directly assaulted Israel several months ago, unsuccessfully. And now another Iran-backed terror group, which Harris and Biden have shamefully emboldened, has gotten in on the sinister act:
Here’s the Houthi drone exploding in the heart of Tel Aviv. Trump had designated the Houthi’s a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Biden lifted that designation in 2021. In 2024, in response to Houthi terror attacks, Biden designated the Houthis a Specially Designated Global… pic.twitter.com/xvs1O55RBt
— David M Friedman (@DavidM_Friedman) July 19, 2024
In case you missed it, I'll leave you with this. The Washington Post may be the most despicable major news outlet in America on the subject of Israel's defensive war against Hamas terrorists:
The Washington Post is an absolute disgrace.
— Alex גדעון בן װעלװל (@JewishWonk) July 19, 2024
These Israeli parents have every right to focus on returning their son from a Hamas dungeon from a war they started when they kidnapped him.
Instead WaPo cites Hamas statistics and a Hamas narrative to demonize them. pic.twitter.com/BgYzr1x1i5
How many times can the Washington Post add editor's notes or post statements related to their coverage of Israel that say they "fell short of" or "did not meet" their standards before it becomes obvious that they don't have any standards when it comes to this subject? pic.twitter.com/J4ESi7hQU3
— AG (@AGHamilton29) July 20, 2024
By the way, the new Labour government in the UK will resume funding to UNRWA, the corrupt UN organization that's complicit in terrorism. Yes, elections have consequences. Take note, America.