In the face of anti-Israel protests, congressional leaders must provide moral clarity

Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on innocent Israelis was horrific. Hamas terrorists massacred whole families, gunned down hundreds of young people, murdered sleeping children, raped women, and are currently holding dozens of Israelis and Americans hostage. There is no excuse for such barbarism, which should be universally condemned. Unfortunately, that isn’t what we are hearing from across the country. 

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors have demonstrated on the streets of New York and Chicago, blaming Israel for Hamas’ attack. Most recently, protestors illegally flooded a House office building chanting and waving signs. When they refused to leave, U.S. Capitol Police were forced to make arrests. Many in these groups have put on disgusting displays of antisemitism and anti-Israel hate. 

Many student groups, including more than 30 Harvard student organizations, have come out against Israel as well, claiming Israel is entirely responsible for the terror unleashed by Hamas. 

The Students for Justice in Palestine network, which leads the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement in the United States, called for a day of demonstrations last Thursday. The poster advertisement featured a paraglider to celebrate the terrorists who invaded Israel and gunned down 1,400 innocent people. Groups on campuses nationwide participated. According to the group, there are chapters at 200 universities.

Pro-Hamas demonstrations are also taking place around the world. In France, protests turned violent. A protestor in Canada told a reporter that “everything Hamas has done is justified.” One protestor in Scotland told Jews, “Don’t forget where the Jews were in 1940 and 1941.” The fact that this kind of antisemitism is not just tolerated, but is celebrated, sickens me.  

Anti-Israel bias has also infiltrated the media. For example, the BBC refuses to call Hamas a terrorist organization. And out of all of its reporters, only Noah Abraham, a freelance reporter, quit. Good for him, but what about the other 2,000 BBC journalists? We clearly need more people in the media willing to stand up for their convictions. 

Additionally, the Associated Press gave a long-time anti-Israel activist the job of covering Israel’s war against Hamas. In a since-deleted tweet, this reporter accused Israel of “building another racist regime that is so similar to the Nazis.” 

Even more sickening are the actions of some American political leaders. Multiple Democrat members of Congress have yet to sign a resolution stating Israel has the right to defend itself. Several members have also introduced a resolution calling for a cease-fire, which is the same thing as calling for Israel to allow Hamas to stay in control of Gaza. Iran is our enemy. Hezbollah is our enemy. Hamas is our enemy. Islamic terrorism is our enemy. Yet these elected officials refuse to admit it.

As leaders of the free world, the United States must set an example. Every member of Congress needs to take a decisive stand and denounce this disgusting act of terror by Hamas and its backers. It is up to the nation’s leaders to provide moral clarity. That’s why I’m calling on every member of the House of Representatives who has yet to sign the bipartisan McCaul-Meeks resolution condemning Hamas’ attack on Israel to do so — immediately. 

Being a leader means being able to discern right from wrong despite the noise around you. Despite what we are hearing from some antisemitic radicals on the streets, on college campuses, in the media, and even echoing in House office buildings we know the truth: Israel has a right to defend itself. Calling for a ceasefire now, before Hamas is destroyed, would be a colossal mistake. We must stand with the Jewish state and denounce antisemitism in all its forms. 

Members of Congress must take a stand and reaffirm our condemnation of Hamas, our support for the state of Israel, and our solidarity with the Jewish people. 

Mark Green is a physician and combat veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, where he served three tours. He interviewed Saddam Hussein for six hours on the night of his capture. He is chair of the House Homeland Security Committee and serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.