Spreading flames
Writing about the 87 Brandeis University faculty members who signed a letter urging the school’s president to rescind an honorary doctorate for Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Martin J. Gross writes that he is “perplexed that there is no counter letter submitted by any faculty member.” (“Ayaan Hirsi Ali and the spirit of free inquiry,” June 10, Web only). He shouldn’t be.
In today’s world, embracing the enemy’s narrative is commonplace and growing in popularity. The radical Islamic onslaught worldwide is so overwhelming, its culture clearly undermining the stability of the West. One can daily witness the failed foreign policy of the Obama administration, Europe, and the UN, and the destruction of the Arab countries, all of whom are victim to Islamist domination.
When the Pope visited Bethlehem recently, instead of asking about the decline of the Christian population, he saw fit to criticize Israel for its reluctance to embrace the failed “peace” process.
Instead of welcoming the likes of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Brigitte Gabriel, and Nona Darwish, who have lived and suffered in the Islamic world, critics demean, insult them, and treat them as misfits.
At this time when the world is willing to accept a Hamas-PA government, have any of the Western leaders revisited the hate-filled Hamas Covenant? Looking back, can any reasonable person understand how it was possible to be deluded by Arafat? As the historian Barbara Tuchman said, “Wooden-headedness, the source of self-deception, is a factor that plays a remarkably large role in government. It consists in assessing a situation in terms of preconceived fixed notions while ignoring or rejecting any contrary signs.” So the West will continue hiding its head in the sand while the flames spread and grow in intensity daily.
Alex Rose
Ashkelon, Israel
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