New York Rep. Lee Zeldin is outraged that President Obama’s proposed authorization of force against the Islamic State group lists several ethnic groups as being threatened by militants without any mention of Jews.
Mr. Zeldin, the only Republican Jewish member of Congress, says he noticed immediately that the resolution specifically singles out Iraqi Christians, Yazidis and Turkmens as potential targets by Sunni militants, but omits Jews, CNN reported.
“I see an understanding, a recognition in the resolution with regards to ISIS attacks on Muslims, on Christians and others, and I didn’t see a reference to Jews,” the freshman lawmaker told CNN on Thursday. “And one of the efforts I’ve been involved in is trying to raise awareness for the rising tide of anti-Semitism.”
“I think that when the White House is drafting a resolution for the authorization of force, that every single word, every phrase in there is done deliberately — it has to be,” Mr. Zeldin continued. “Jews should have been included by the White House.”
The Republican said last month’s terror attack on a Paris Kosher deli that left four Jews dead is evidence the Islamic State is committed to deadly acts of violence against Jewish people.
“I strongly believe we were reminded in Paris that these radical Islamic extremists, they want to wipe Israel off the map,” he told CNN. “They target not only Jews but our freedom our exceptionalism as Americans — the whole western world.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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