print-icon
print-icon

House GOP Reps Introduce Bill To Send Anti-Israel Protesters To Gaza

blueapples's Photo
by blueapples
Thursday, May 09, 2024 - 17:27

blueapples on X

If the AIPAC is having a groveling contest then House Republicans Andy Ogles, Randy Weber, and Jeff Duncan are doing their best to take home first-place. That cohort is behind the newly introduced Antisemitism Community Service Act, which seeks to follow suit with the recent trend of proposed legislation made by the House Of Representatives to exploit the antisemitic hysteria arising from protests across college campuses nationwide to deprive American citizens of their constitutional rights. Under the proposal, anyone arrested and convicted of unlawful activity on the campus of an institution of higher education would be required to perform at least 6 months of community service in the Gaza Strip.

Currently, the way the bill has been written makes no distinction between what unlawful activity would constitute such a punitive measure. However, given that it is in its infancy, it seems clear that future drafts of the proposed legislation seek to apply the penalty to protesters who have been charged with crimes in relation to protests against Israel. However, the bill refers to any conviction following October 7th, 2023 which would mean crimes committed before the onset of these widespread protests would qualify under the potential law.

Ogles, the bill's author, took to Fox News to discuss his proposed legislation. “If you support a terrorist organization, and you participate in unlawful activity on campuses, you should get a taste of your own medicine. I am going to bet that these pro-Hamas supporters wouldn’t last a day, but let’s give them the opportunity.” he said. This isn't the first time that Ogles has made controversial headlines regarding his position on Israel's war. In February, the Representative of Tennessee's 5th Congressional District was confronted regarding his unconditional support for Israel in the wake of growing concern over the toll of civilian casualties in Gaza.

When asked about his concern for the Palestinian civilians killed in the conflict Ogles remarked “You know what? So, I think we should kill ’em all, if that makes you feel better,” Before qualifying his position in the heat of the moment to by clarifying his remarks were meant to refer to “Everybody in Hamas.” However, Ogles continued on in his exchange with broader comments that convey his sentiments extended to beyond members of Hamas by stating “Hamas and the Palestinians have been attacking Israel for 20 years. And It’s time to pay the piper," before ending his exchange by declaring "Death to Hamas!"

Although those remarks were subsequently debated with Ogles defending himself by reiterating that his calls to "kill 'em all" only referred to Hamas, his proposal to send criminals convicted with so much as misdemeanors into a war zone is another episode of his overzealous subservience to Israel's cause. Given that Ogles has received just $12,000 from the pro-Israel lobby, it appears it didn't cost it too much to curry his favor.

In addition to the Antisemitism Community Service Act, Ogles also introduced the Study Abroad Act which aims to cancel the visas of students studying abroad in the US if they're merely arrested for "unlawful protests", meaning the penalty they face would not require a criminal conviction under the parameters of the present draft of the bill. House GOP Representatives Randy Weber of Texas and Jeff Duncan of South Carolina joined Ogles in co-sponsoring this proposed legislation as well. Ogles again defended his proposed legislation stating “My message is clear: if you’re a student visa holder rioting AGAINST American values and FOR Hamas terrorists, you can go study abroad in Gaza.” At the time of Ogle's comments, the IDF has bombed the Islamic University of Gaza, al-Azhar University, al-Israa University, Gaza International College, and al-Quds Open University since the onset of the war.

What makes potential laws like Ogles' Antisemitism Community Service Act so problematic is that they lack any nuance is examining the complexities of the issue behind the protests they seek to address. For instance, over 108 demonstrators were arrested at Northeastern University in Boston weeks ago after one yelled "Kill all Jews!" It was only after those arrests that it was determined the demonstrator who shouted that call to violence was actually a pro-Israel counter protester whose message was designed to agitate his opposition. As such, questions arise as to whether the penalties set forth under Ogles' bill would qualify to pro-Israel demonstrators like the example of the one at Northeastern. If not, as one would imagine Ogles would have it, the proposed legislation demonstrates the selective application of policing speech.

Given the constitutional issues that literally shipping non-violent criminals overseas into a war zone represents, in particular the Eighth Amendment which protects citizens against cruel and unusual punishment, it is hard to envisage that it will become the law of the land. Regardless, it adds to significant concerns that the war in Gaza has become a political vehicle to violate Americans constitutional rights as recently evidenced by the Antisemitism Awareness Act. This is nothing new in American history. It isn't even particularly new to recent history given the similarities behind the political climate cultivated to pass laws like the PATRIOT Act in the early part of the century. These examples show that it isn't just Israelis or Palestinians who come under attack if Congress is handed a blank check to respond to geopolitical crises like these that they have help foment to begin with but American citizens whose constitutional rights seem to matter less to elected officials than their donors with ties to foreign governments.

Contributor posts published on Zero Hedge do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Zero Hedge, and are not selected, edited or screened by Zero Hedge editors.
0
Loading...