Imagine if pro-Palestinian protesters made clear they don't support Hamas -- the way left-wing, pro-Israel Jews are constantly making clear that they don't support the "settlements" in the West Bank.
It would look something like this:
We, the undersigned, are Palestinians and supporters of the Palestinian cause, and we wish to disavow Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and anyone else who would use violence against civilians in our name.
We cherish the unbroken connection of millions of Palestinians to the land of our ancestors. Some of us believe that Palestinians have a right to all of the land; some of us are prepared to accept a two-state solution. We embrace a diversity of views about the future.
Yet we reject terrorism as a means to achieve our national goals. There is never an excuse for it -- whether by Israeli settlers or by Palestinian militants. It is self-destructive, and it is also immoral.
We abhor the terror attacks of October 7. There is no justification for them. They provoked a response that has devastated Gaza. They were enabled by countries like Iran that do not care about us and do not bear the cost of their aggression.
We can no longer be silent.
Our people have fought bravely for their land. Yet war, and terror, have set us back, costing us more land and diminishing the justice of our cause in the eyes of people who would otherwise be our allies.
Israeli violence is no excuse for Palestinian violence. Our duty to condemn terror exists independent of the conduct of the other side.
We call on the nations of the world to support Palestinian leaders who join our commitment to oppose terror. We ask them to invest in the Palestinian people, rather than propping up those who exploit us.
We look forward to a brighter future -- a day when we can hold our heads high and take pride in the morality and success of our cause.
Signed,
(Nobody ever)
This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!
This week's portion elucidates some of the first laws and principles of the Torah that follow the Ten Commandments, including -- a message particularly relevant to freed slaves -- the Jewish restrictions on indentured servitude.
God also provides the basic civil laws of Jewish society, governing almost every area of life -- in this one portion! -- as well as several basic principles of faith and religious observance. Moses then ascends Sinai for 40 days.
One of the laws God gives is the law against taunting a foreigner. This is different from allowing people to enter your land illegally; it is about showing respect, however, for people from other lands and other groups.
I am reminded of the importance of this principle because of the rhetoric lately attacking Elon Musk, a fellow South African-turned-American, for his foreign roots -- often by people who favor illegal immigration, ironically.
...
Since the Palisades Fire on January 7, my posts have been fairly sparse. I have just been so busy -- fighting the fire, covering the fire, helping neighbors, and launching a new podcast, "Three Homeless Guys," with two local friends.
Things are up and down. My family is still displaced, and we haven't resolved our living situation. We are awaiting answers from the insurance company (State Farm) on what they will cover, including alternative living expenses.
There are some incredible opportunities opening up -- more on that later -- and our kids are generally doing well, though this has been hard for them as well (especially the two middle kids, who miss their friends and their house).
The emotion of it all hit me yesterday. Today I feel wrung out. But I also feel that, in a way, going through the fire has been a process of refinement, of re-casting in a new mould, to face new challenges. And to win each new day.
So much to talk about, once again, as the Trump administration continues at breakneck pace. From DOGE chewing through the federal bureaucracy, to Marco Rubio heading out on his first missions for Trump, there's so much...
Special guests:
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio -- on the L.A. fires and reforming CA insurance
Matt Boyle -- Breitbart News political editor, on DOGE and confirmations
Jamie Paige -- founder of the Westside Current, on L.A. politics and the fires
Frances Martel -- Breitbart News foreign editor, on Rubio and Russia/Ukraine
Rob Hersov -- South African commentator, on SA's fight with the White House
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call in: 866-957-2874
