"Freedom"

In what has become a bi-annual exercise in terror, the palestinian terror group, Hamas, and a Gaza-based Iranian-sponsored terror group, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, launched approximately 700 rockets across the Gaza border, targeting Israeli civilian centers. The rockets killed four people and injured many others. Israel responded, destroying multiple Hamas and PIJ facilities and targeting commanders from both terror organizations. Matthew Brodsky comments:

Aside from serving as a reminder that Hamas remains as wedded as ever to its charter, which calls for the destruction of Israel as part of its "struggle against the Jews," this latest escalation also highlights the regime in Tehran's ability to impact to the situation in Israel and Gaza, which is likewise devoted to goal of wiping Israel off of the map. The latter's impact can be seen by the subversive role played by the PIJ as they often operate behind the back of Hamas leadership. As the former head of Israel's Military intelligence's Research Department, Yaakov Amidor put it, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, unlike Hamas, is a completely owned and operated Iranian subsidiary, "established by Iran, financed by Iran, and does what Iran wants it to do." A former national security adviser and current senior fellow at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security (JISS), Amidor explained, Hamas was dragged into the current escalation by PIJ, who first tried to deny their responsibility for the attack.

Iran would consider it a benefit if Israel were bogged down in a major operation Gaza, which would give Iran a freer hand to continue its entrenchment enterprise in Syria. Amidor believes agreements with Hamas are unlikely to hold if PIJ acts independently and "if Hamas does not take control and do what it should as an organization that is control of the Gaza Strip."

It was the PIJ who ignited this latest round even if Hamas was quick to join in. Taking credit for the strikes that reached Ashkelon, PIJ claimed it fired a new type of missile at the city and said, "what is coming next is greater."

As these events occurred, yet another pro-Palestinian Democratic Congresswoman, Rashida Talib, leaped to the defense of the Islamic terror groups involved. Beth Baumann reports:

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) took to Twitter on Sunday to slam the New York Times for a headline about the attack: "Gaza militants fire 250 rockets, and Israel responds with airstrikes." The Times headline is accurate [although the number of rockets increased to over 700], considering that is precisely how the attack started.

So ... a rising young Democratic member of Congress doesn't like the "dehumanizing" aspect of a NYT headline, but is absolutely silent on the Palestinians blatant rocket attack on Israel. After all, according to Talib, the palestinians "just want to be free."

Uhhh, nope. The palestinians, in the guise of Hamas and the PIJ and along with Iran, just want to eradicate Israel and all Jews who currently live there. "Freedom" for palestinians (and sadly, far too many other Islamic states), is freedom from Jews—an anti-Semitic ideology that will not change.

Jewish supporters of the Democratic party should consider the many anti-Semitic comments of Rashida Talib's BFF, Rep. Ihan Omar, along with Talib's recent contribution, and ask themselves whether a party that won't explicitly and unequivocally condemn such positions is worthy of their support. #Walkaway.

UPDATE-1 (5/7/2019):
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Not to be outdone by her comrade, Rep Ilhan Omar (D-MN) enters the fray, expressing her solidarity with palestinian terrorists who launch rockets at Israeli civilian centers, because ... "occupation."

The occupation canard is the go-to position for leftists who try to justify an Islamist ideology that is blatantly anti-Semitic and murderous at it core. But that reality never deters a true leftist. Omar decided to provide her support for Hamas when she tweeted:

How many more protesters must be shot, rockets must be fired, and little kids must be killed until the endless cycle of violence ends?

The status quo of occupation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unsustainable. Only real justice can bring about security and lasting peace.

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 5, 2019

Yeah ... "cycle of violence." Another go-to phrase beloved by leftists. In actuality, Omar reflects a "cycle of hypocrisy" that infects the left every time the palestinians decide to throw a violent tantrum to satisfy their Islamist masters in Iran or to submarine any attempt at peace negotiations.

Interesting that one side—Hamas and the PIJ—launches rockets against civilians in an obvious violation of international law. The Israelis defend themselves by destroying rocket launching facilities and killing the perpetrators, but their actions always seem to be "disproportionate" to leftists with palestinian leanings. Because the palestinian rocket launchers are purposely embedded behind human shields, there are civilian casualties—civilians put directly in harm's way by the Islamists. Progressives whine about "war crimes" when in fact the only war crimes are perpetrated by the Islamists.

Tiana Lowe comments on Omar's latest:

The "endless cycle of violence" would cease in perpetuity if Palestinians were able to remove the literal terrorist organization now in power (officials in Gaza have managed to avoid holding elections for 13 years now), or if said terrorist organization were to stop launching barbaric attacks at Israel unprompted.

Leftists like Talib and Omar often think they're the smartest people in the room, when in reality, they're fools. They can't process historical fact and indulge in magical thinking to make their case.

A small dose of reality: There is no "occupation" in Gaza. Israel left Gaza in 2005. Its military presence was withdrawn, its settlements were dismantled, governance was turned over to the palestinians who proceeded (in 2007) to elect Hamas. Hamas proceeded to build a corrupt government, siphoned billions that poured in from other countries, never changed their charter that advocated the destruction of Israel, never built a viable economy ... how long a list would you like?

Both Talib abd Omar are Islamist sympathizers who should be roundly condemned by mainstream Democrats. They fact that they are not called to account speaks volumes. #Walkway.

UPDATE-2 (5/7/2019):
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A few days ago, a New York Assemblyman and Democrat, Dov Hikind, tweeted:

After more than FIVE HUNDRED rockets were fired by Hamas terrorists at Israel, KILLING 4, not a single Democratic candidate for president has issued a statement or said a word on it.

Shame on @thedemocrats! The whole lot of them!

As of today (5/7/2019) and after more than 700 rockets, not a single Democrat candidate for president has tweeted or made a statement. Cowards.

Meanwhile, the man who some Dems have claimed is an "anti-Semite," Donald Trump, tweeted:

Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens....

....To the Gazan people — these terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. END the violence and work towards peace - it can happen!

It's only fair to ask who the real anti-Semites are.

#Walkaway.