“God does not reward those who bring terror to children of the world. So you have succeeded in nothing but your soul’s failure.”
— Irish singer Sinead O’Connor, in a 1997 letter to extremist Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel’s current Minister of National Security
U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and Representative Brian Mast (R-FL), chairs of their respective foreign relations committees, have sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres claiming that the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) has an “overwhelming and disproportionate focus on Israel.”
The letter states that the HRC’s Commission of Inquiry has been “egregiously expanded to include investigating and reporting on ‘terror, violence, and intimidation against Palestinian civilians.'”
Notably, Ronen Bar, the head of Israel’s security agency Shinbet, has condemned the “terrorism” of militant West Bank settlers. Violent militants have conducted a campaign of murder, arson and intimidation against Palestinians in the West Bank in order to expel them from their land.
Bar accused Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, as well as other members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, of encouraging the settlers’ actions. Also consider that, prior to assuming office, Ben-Gvir was convicted in an Israeli court of supporting a terrorist organization and incitement to racism.
It is a foundational principle in many religions that we are created in God’s image, and that every human life has intrinsic value and is worthy of respect. This includes Palestinians.
Reader Terry Hansen lives in Milwaukee.