OPINION:
A young man and woman named Aaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim who worked as Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and who were in the midst of planning their wedding and life together were gunned down in the streets outside the Capital Jewish Museum by a “Free Palestine” screaming nut job — allegedly — named Elias Rodriguez from Chicago.
This, in America.
And Rep. Ilhan Omar couldn’t even immediately denounce the attack, even when directly asked for her response. Instead, she said: “I’m going to go for now.” Say what?
America is losing its compass. God will not be mocked. It’s inconceivable that the hatred of Jews would become so normalized in this country that a sitting member of Congress could get by saying something so idiotic, so outrageous, so despicable, knowing full well the comments were on-the-record, on-camera, on video for the world to see — and to do so after winning a fourth term as a legislator with more than 75 percent of the vote. Her voice represents many, in other words. Her antisemitic voice.
Following backlash, and hours and hours later, Omar finally put out a message on X that stated, “I am appalled by the deadly shooting at the Capitol Jewish Museum last night. Holding the victims, their families, and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. Violence should have no place in our country.”
Of course, it shouldn’t. But neither should Omar — neither should any legislator who needs half a day to come up with some lame and generic expression of sympathy for victims of terror attacks committed by antisemites doing the bidding of radicalized Allah-worshippers. Allegedly.
“When Mr. Rodriguez was taken into custody after the shooting,” The New York Times wrote, “he told police officers, ‘I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,’ according to an F.B.I. affidavit filed in federal court.”
Terrorists, unite.
Jew-haters stand united.
Pro-Hamas groups are hailing Rodriguez as a hero.
From the Middle East Media Research Institute: “Palestinian Factions, Iran-Backed Iraqi Militias, Jihadi Clerics Celebrate Deadly Shooting At Jewish Event In Washington DC By Pro-Palestinian Activist Who Yelled ‘Free Palestine!’” Among MEMRI’s findings was a statement from the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement blaming Israel’s “barbaric crimes” in Gaza for the attack, as well as a message from the pro-Hamas Gaza Now media outlet on its Telegram channel describing Rodriguez’s attack — alleged attack — this way: “In a moment of courage, he decided to make his voice heard and boldly confront the killers.” The “killers” in this reference are the Israelis, according to Gaza Now.
Against this backdrop, ignorant college students carrying out the desires of pro-Palestinian, pro-Hamas, pro-terror, anti-Israel, anti-Jewish activists continue to cry about “rivers to the sea” and Gaza victims and Israeli aggressors. As much as this White House is doing to root out the antisemitism on college campuses — and indeed, President Donald Trump is to be credited with much on that count — the evil continues to spread.
“Two dozen Maine residents to begin 40-day hunger strike in solidarity with Gaza,” The Guardian reported May 22.
Note the date.
This is a day after Lischinsky and Milgrim were murdered.
America has a Constitution that underscores the rights of citizens to speak freely, to petition their government for grievances, to assemble in protest and to express in print, on radio, on television as desired. But antisemitism is not free speech. When Jewish kids can’t go to college classes because they’re being intimidated and attacked by antisemites, the lines of free speech have been blurred and criminal behaviors become normalized. And Jewish people in America are dying.
In the last days, all the world will turn against Israel and the Jewish people will be attacked by all. God, however, promises that those who bless His people He will bless; those who curse His people, He will curse.
America needs to be very careful to be on the right side of this prophecy. Antisemitism could very well be this nation’s downfall and ultimately, destruction.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “God-Given Or Bust: Defeating Marxism and Saving America With Biblical Truths,” is available by clicking HERE.
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