Rick Santorum tells CNN it's a Fact that Pro-Palestinian and Muslim Community Responsible for Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes
BY: Nisreen Eadeh/Staff Writer
Former Sen. Rick Santorum appeared on CNN Tuesday morning to make false claims about pro-Palestinians and Muslims. The discussion began with CNN anchor Chris Cuomo asking Santorum why President Trump has yet to denounce the rise in anti-Semitic attacks taking place across the country, which has shaken the Jewish community.
The former senator continuously failed to answer the question, and instead blamed the recent acts of anti-Semitism on pro-Palestinian groups and Muslims.
“If you look at the fact of the people who are responsible for a lot of this anti-Semitism that we’re seeing, I hate to say it, a lot of it is coming from the pro-Palestinian or Muslim community,” Santorum said. “So let’s just lay out that fact.”
Cuomo immediately took issue with the former Republican senator’s statement, insisting that it was not a known fact.
“You have white haters historically … who target the Jews in this country,” Cuomo argued.
On Monday, 11 Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) received bomb threats, bringing the year’s total number of hate crimes towards JCCs this year up to 69. No group has taken responsibility for the acts of vandalism and no suspects have been arrested. In fact, American Muslims raised over $20,000 to help repair a recently desecrated Jewish cemetery. For Santorum to say it’s a fact that pro-Palestine and Muslim people are behind such acts is purely racist and unintelligent.
White supremacists, however, have taken credit for anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, Nazi propaganda, and other racist materials and acts throughout U.S. history.
Santorum replied to Cuomo’s correction, saying, “That’s not what’s going on on college campuses, Chris, white haters.”
Former Clinton campaign surrogate Christine Quinn, who took part in the debate, also called out Santorum for his allegations, saying simply, “That’s not a fact.”
After being told he wasn’t stating any evidence, Santorum insisted, “that’s what’s going on on college campuses.”
The anti-Semitism on college campuses Santorum is referring to is the rise in the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) Movement and Students For Justice in Palestine groups, who both work to increase awareness of Israel’s racist policies, international law violations, human rights abuses, and illegal settlement projects taking over Palestinian lands and homes.
Republicans and Democrats have both likened these activists and their peaceful, free speech behavior, to anti-Semitism, despite the fact that Judaism is not cited in their protests or mission.
“You guys have no problem going after Muslims for things they don’t do, let alone what they do do. So why doesn’t Trump go after the Muslims who are doing this on college campuses against the Jews?” Cuomo then asked.
“I am for him doing that,” Santorum said. “I think [Trump] should.”
After spouting fake news of his own, Santorum then fell back on the “fake news” excuse popularized by President Trump to continue arguing against Cuomo and Quinn. Santorum then resorted to blaming President Obama for the anti-Semitic actions, even though they began after Trump won the election and was inaugurated.
“I’ve got to tell you, Chris, this is why you hear about fake news,” the former GOP presidential candidate said, raising his voice. “For eight years — eight years — the Obama administration sat by and said nothing about the increasing anti-Semitism on college campuses!”
Santorum added, “It’s an outrage you guys are pointing to this 30 days in, and for eight years you ignored that story!”
It’s unclear which stories of anti-Semitism Santorum believes the media has ignored for the last eight years, but the rise in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic hate crimes have indeed been reported on by media organizations. In the end, Santorum never answered why President Trump has yet to condemn the anti-Semitic acts.
Later on Tuesday at the African-American History Museum, President Trump finally told MSNBC once and for all that anti-Semitism has “got to stop.” The president claims he’s said it many times before and will continue to stay it after each incident.
