California News:
California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote a letter to California’s Muslim, Palestinian American, and Arab American communities Thursday, expressing how it “pains” him “so deeply to see the ways your communities are suffering, bearing the weight of lost family and friends in Gaza while facing a rise in discrimination and hate here at home,” while simultaneously calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
California’s Jewish community has not received such expressions of pain from the Governor. Instead, as the Free Beacon reported, “Newsom has publicly backed Israel since Hamas’s terror attack in October. But privately, he has raised funds for the primary backer of a group that organized anti-Semitic and anti-Israel protests at California high schools.”
“More than 1,700 California Bay Area teens walked out of class on Wednesday, calling for the eradication of Israel with chants like, ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,’” the Free Beacon reported. “The protests were planned by the San Francisco-based Arab Resources and Organizing Center (AROC), a fiscally sponsored project of the progressive Tides Center, for which Newsom has raised more than $1 million from his donors.”
The governor did make a quick trip to Israel in October, on his way to China. There he met with Israel several wounded Israeli soldiers, and a Californian who was shot during a missile and grenade attack, and issued this nebulous statement:
“Despite the horror, what I saw and heard from the people of Israel was a profound sense of resilience. A commitment to community and common purpose, especially in these most difficult of times. That’s the Israeli spirit. And it’s also the California spirit. We are bound by more than those who live one place or another, or who have family here or there.
My heart is heavy for all innocent people under the crushing pressure of loss and grief, no matter which side of fence they quite literally find themselves on.
“So as I prepare to leave, I share these words: may the memory of those who perished be a blessing to the whole world.”
That’s quite different from the statement to California’s Muslim, Palestinian American, and Arab American communities:
California is a better place because of you—our Muslim, Palestinian American, and Arab American neighbors and friends who contribute so much to our state’s sense of faith and belonging. From countless achievements in literature, civil rights, arts, entertainment, government, business, medicine, and science, to the daily contributions to your communities, you form an essential part of California’s spirit. And now, as many of you observe the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, we can all extend our heartfelt wishes and be reminded of the value of introspection and renewal. I am grateful and proud that each of you call the Golden State home.
While Newsom addressed violent attacks on Palestinians and Muslims in America, and claimed he “grieved” for them “because of their Muslim faith or Palestinian heritage,” there has been an awkward silence in the State Capitol and governor’s office about the openly anti-semitic protests on California university and college campuses, and even in high schools as the Free Beacon reported.
Newsom’s “heart is heavy” for Israelis but “California is a better place because of Muslim, Palestinian American, and Arab American neighbors.”
Gov. Newsom’s trip to Israel was a publicity stunt and unnecessary as he isn’t a head of state. The real purpose of the trip was to burnish his international credentials because he has already measured the White House drapes and checked out the formal dinnerware, the Globe reported.
And if you aren’t sure yet why Newsom issued the letter to our Muslim, Palestinian American, and Arab American neighbors, the dig at Donald Trump should clear that up:
“When former President Trump announced his patently hateful ‘Muslim Ban’ to bar travel from Muslim-majority countries, California took him to court to stop him. When right-wing extremists tried to block refugees from resettling in their communities, California passed laws to strengthen protections and expand opportunity for refugees in California. When incidents of hate rose across the country during the pandemic, California made a historic investment in community-based services that promote healing for victims and their families and help prevent future hate incidents. California stands tall—and we always will—in the fight for justice and belonging.”
And then Newsom offers up his solution – could he be practicing for the job as President?
“So let me be clear—I condemn the ongoing and horrific loss of innocent civilian life in Gaza. I support President Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire as part of a deal to secure desperately needed relief for Gazan civilians and the release of hostages.
I also unequivocally denounce Hamas’s terrorist attack against Israel.
It is time to work in earnest toward an enduring peace that will furnish the lasting security, autonomy, and freedom that the Palestinians and the Israeli people both deserve.”
This delighted the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations:
“CAIR-CA has advocated with state and federal elected officials to call for a cease-fire since the beginning of Israel’s violent military offense five months ago, including with Governor Newsom’s office. We are invigorated to see the Governor ultimately decide to take action and commend him for his commitment to peace and justice amid the heartbreaking violence that has tragically resulted in the death of over 30,000 Palestinians.”
Newsom ended his statement with this:
“To every Muslim, Palestinian American, and Arab American who calls California home: please know that you belong here.”
No such consideration was expressed by Gov. Newsom when a Feb. 26 protest by pro-Palestinian groups turned violent on the UC Berkeley campus. A visiting Israeli speaker’s planned event was shut down and Jewish students were assaulted. Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the speaker’s venue, smashed windows and, according to some accounts, physically attacked students who had come for the event, according to Jewish Telegraph Agency.
Crickets from Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Let us confront hate together,” he said in his statement – only not to Jewish students.
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Author: Katy Grimes
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