Why do radicals support Palestinians who want to destroy Israel and kill innocent Jews?

Dear Friend of FLAME:

Though Palestinian leaders are sworn enemies of Israel—and have vowed to destroy the Jewish state—they still have many supporters among radicals on the far left in the U.S. and Europe.

Much of this support comes not from a factual analysis of the issues surrounding this hundred-year conflict, but rather from sympathy for the perceived “underdog.” In many cases, Israel’s enemies are misinformed . . . others cynically support the Palestinians by telling lies about Israel’s “apartheid,” “genocide” or “occupation of Palestinian territory.”

While the Palestinians are certainly weaker militarily compared to Israel, it’s useful to look closely at what the Palestinians stand for . . . what they say they want, and what they do.

A week ago, Sunday, November 21, Palestinian Sheikh and Hamas militant Fadi Abu Shkhaydam pulled out a machine gun near Jerusalem’s Western Wall and killed 26-year-old South African immigrant Eli Kay, who had been praying at the Wall. He also wounded four others before Israeli security forces killed him minutes later.

Shkhaydam had preached in Jerusalem mosques, railing against “Jewish and Christian masters of heresy” and anyone who opposed Islamic sharia law. He also wrote, “From when I first walked, and I drank of the Qu’ran . . . I dreamed of meeting God as a martyr . . . We must steer the ship with our blood, and serve as the practical example of the way of jihad.”

This murder of an innocent Jew by a Palestinian terrorist personifies one answer to the question: Who are the Palestinians—and what do they want?

No matter when we discuss the Arabs living in Palestine over the last 100 years, many have violently opposed Israel’s existence for both religious and political reasons. Since the early 1900s, Palestinian Arabs mounted numerous attacks against Palestinian Jews.

Arabs rejected the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine in 1947, which called for sharing the Holy Land with the Jews. The Jewish Agency for Palestine accepted the Partition Plan, but both Arab governments and local Palestinian Arab leaders spurned it.

Despite wars mounted against Israel by Arab armies in 1967 and 1973—and defeating all those invaders—the Jewish state has made numerous offers of land for peace with the Palestinians. Notably, in 2000, 2001 and 2008—under U.S. auspices—Israel offered the Palestinians most of Judea and Samaria (the “West Bank”) and a capital in Jerusalem.

To the chagrin of the United States and Israel itself, the Palestinians refused to recognize the Jewish state and rejected every peace offer.

The Palestinians have been the recipients of an estimated $40 billion in foreign aid since 1994—some of the largest per capita support of any group globally. Yet the economies in both Gaza and the West Bank are in shambles—effectively bankrupt—due largely to rampant corruption and the costs of fighting Israel, rather than developing their economic foundations.

Both major Palestinian political groups—Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank—are ruled by dictatorships that have not permitted general elections since 2005. PA president Mahmoud Abbas is in the 17^th year of a four-year term.

Both groups—Hamas and the PA—refuse to accept Israel as a Jewish state, both oppose the existence of Israel and both teach their schoolchildren that Israel needs to be destroyed.

Hamas’ charter calls for destruction of the Jewish state and the killing of Jews. The PA’s Mahmoud Abbas has stated numerous times that “in a final resolution, we would not see the presence of a single Israeli—civilian or soldier—on our lands.” (That’s called apartheid.)

Neither Palestinian government observes democratic rule of law. No civil liberties are guaranteed—no freedom of speech or freedom of assembly. Women are second-class citizens, and homosexuality is persecuted, especially in Hamas-ruled Gaza, where Islamic sharia law is observed.

These conditions seem not to faze radical opponents of Israel, who would otherwise readily condemn such violations of social justice.

Even more disturbing for Jews, research shows that Palestinians are the most anti-Semitic of any group globally. According to the ADL/Global 100 study of anti-Semitism, fully 93% of adult Palestinians harbor “strong” anti-Semitic attitudes.

Would ultra-lefts support any group whose overwhelming majority holds hateful attitudes about Black Americans or Muslims? Apparently hate against Jews gets a pass.

Despite unrelenting rejection of peace by Palestinian leaders, despite egregious injustice in Palestinian society, and despite regressive values held by many Palestinians, Israel’s ultra-left enemies argue it doesn’t matter: “Israel still ‘occupies’ Palestinian territory and oppresses the Palestinian people.”

A few indisputable facts quickly expose these excuses as falsehoods.

First, Israel does not in any factual or legal way occupy Palestinian territory. The Palestinian people have never in their history controlled any territory anywhere. They have never controlled the territory in what is now Israel, nor the territory in Judea or Samaria. This latter territory, by international law, is disputed.

Second, as for oppressing the Palestinian people: Israel has attempted to make peace ever since its founding 73 years ago—including many generous offers to share the Holy Land, with a capital in Jerusalem. The Palestinians responded with two bloody Intifadas, at least four wars, and a string of murderous terrorist attacks that continue to this day.

Israel’s presence in the West Bank and bombing of Gaza are not because Israel wants to rule—let alone “oppress”—Palestinians. Rather, Israel responds—strictly defensively—when Palestinians act violently on their commitment to destroy the Jewish state and kill Jews.

Why, then, do radicals still support Palestinians in their effort to destroy Israel and kill innocent Jews?

In short, these radicals are hypocrites. They believe in the righteousness of the bloody Palestinian cause . . . despite Palestinian rejection for 73 years of the Jewish and every offer of peace. They support Palestinian leaders who make a mockery of civil rights and justice . . . despite their solemn claims to revere social equity.

Please emphasize to friends, family, colleagues and your elected representatives that this favoring of Palestinian leadership by radicals stems not from the worthiness of the Palestinian cause, not because of its inspiring struggle . . . but rather from an irrational opposition to the self-determination of the Jewish people.

Indeed, if radical activists oppose the aspiration of indigenous Jews to independence in their ancient homeland, we can only conclude that this is compelled by hate. This hate has a name: Anti-Semitism. It’s morally despicable.

I hope you’ll also take a minute, while you have this material front and center, to forward this message to friends, visit FLAME’s lively Facebook page and review the P.S. immediately below. It describes FLAME’s new hasbarah campaign—which exposes “Ben & Jerry’s Bad Taste” and those who support boycotts of the Jewish state.

Best regards,

James Sinkinson
President, Facts and Logic About the Middle East (FLAME)

P.S.

As you know, Ben & Jerry’s recently announced that it would cease its contract with its Israeli affiliate because the affiliate refused to stop selling the company’s ice cream in the ancient Jewish territories of Judea and Samaria. This move, championed by the company’s anti-Israel board chair, is just the latest attempt to boycott the Jewish state—joining the BDS movement—which some 35 U.S. states consider illegal and anti-Semitic. To clarify this issue for the American people—including many Jews—FLAME has created a new hasbarah message called “Ben & Jerry’s Bad Taste .” I hope you’ll review this convincing, fact-based paid editorial, which will run soon in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and other media nationwide. It spells out why Ben & Jerry’s should be held to account for this attempt to delegitimize the State of Israel. This piece will also be sent to all members of Congress, Vice President Harris and President Biden. If you agree that this kind of public relations effort on Israel’s behalf is critical, I urge you to support us. Remember: FLAME’s powerful ability to influence public opinion—and U.S. support of Israel—comes from individuals like you, one by one. I hope you’ll consider giving a donation now, as you’re able—with $500, $250, $100, or even $18. (Remember, your donation to FLAME is tax deductible.) To donate online, just go to donate now. Now, more than ever, we need your support to ensure that the American people, the U.S. Congress and President Biden stay committed to fighting anti-Semitic actions by individuals, politicians and commercial companies. As of today, more than 15,000 Israel supporters receive the FLAME Hotline at no charge every week. If you’re not yet a subscriber, won’t you join us in receiving these timely updates, so you can more effectively tell the truth about Israel? Just go to free subscription.