US Senator Lindsey Graham has faced backlash after responding to protests outside his home in Seneca, South Carolina with anti-Palestinian remarks on social media. In his post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he referred to Palestinians in Gaza as a radicalized population and compared Hamas terrorists to the Nazi SS. Graham criticized the protesters who chanted in front of his house and used the opportunity to reaffirm his support for Israel.
The protest was organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) in response to Graham’s hawkish stance on Israel, with demonstrators calling for an end to US support for the Israeli government. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a high number of Palestinian casualties and a humanitarian crisis, with the majority of Americans expressing disapproval of Israel’s military offensive.
Despite calls for conditions on US aid to Israel, both Democrats and Republicans in Congress continue to support robust assistance for the country. President Joe Biden’s administration has maintained its unwavering support for Israel during the conflict, despite criticism of the humanitarian toll. Anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic rhetoric from politicians has exacerbated tensions, contributing to hate crimes against Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Americans.
Critics argue that politicians are downplaying the hate faced by these groups and misrepresenting pro-Palestinian protesters as anti-Semitic. Calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from companies linked to Israeli human rights abuses have been met with resistance from lawmakers. Representative Rashida Tlaib spoke out against attempts to downplay the Palestinian death toll, emphasizing the need to recognize the human cost of the conflict.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com