Democrats APPEASE Privileged College Radicals
In this episode of The Ben Shapiro Show, Shapiro weighs in on recent campus protests by pro-Palestinian groups that he alleges have turned violent and faced weak responses from university administrators.
He questions Democratic politicians like Karen Bass, Joe Biden, and Ilhan Omar for what he sees as appeasing the protesters. Shapiro delves further into potential administration policies for Gaza, expressing concern over admitting Palestinian refugees without properly vetting for Hamas ties, as well as plans for a Gaza port facility he argues could put American troops at risk.
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1-Page Summary
Campus Protests: Palestine vs Israel
Ben Shapiro discusses the recent wave of campus protests supporting Palestinian groups versus Israel. According to Shapiro, these demonstrations have involved violence, destruction of property, and the takeover of academic buildings.
Violent Tactics and Outside Agitators
Protests have occurred at universities like Columbia and UCLA, where protesters allegedly smashed doors, assaulted students, and incited "intifadas" or uprisings. Shapiro claims students have worked alongside outside agitators to block access, scream slurs, deface statues, and replace American flags with Palestinian flags.
Administrators' Weak Responses Embolden Protesters
University administrations have responded weakly, Shapiro argues, emboldening protesters. Examples include Brown University agreeing to an Israel divestment vote and Northwestern acceding to multiple demands.
Comparisons to Radical 1960s/70s Movements
Shapiro draws parallels between these protests and radical campus movements of the 1960s/70s, such as the Black Panthers and Weather Underground, warning of potential escalation.
Biden Administration's Stance
Shapiro criticizes the Biden administration and Democratic politicians like Mayor Karen Bass for appearing sympathetic toward the protesters. He cites the administration's struggles to stake a stance that doesn't alienate young voters or centrists.
Proposal to Resettle Gaza Refugees in U.S.
The Biden administration is considering resettling certain Palestinian refugees from Gaza who have American family members. Shapiro expresses concerns over the vetting process and potential Hamas ties.
$320M Gaza Port Risking U.S. Troops
The administration's plans for a Gaza port facility have drawn fire from Shapiro, who warns it could endanger U.S. troops by putting them in conflict with Hamas.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- An intifada is an Arabic term for a rebellion or uprising, often against oppression. In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it specifically denotes Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation, involving various forms of resistance. The First Intifada occurred from 1987 to 1993, while the Second Intifada took place between 2000 and 2005. The term can encompass both violent and nonviolent methods of resistance.
- Hamilton Hall, in the context of the text, is a building at Columbia University where protesters supporting Palestinian groups smashed a door to occupy during recent university protests.
- Mayor Karen Bass is an American politician who served as the 43rd mayor of Los Angeles starting in 2022. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has a background in social work and healthcare. Prior to becoming mayor, Bass served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the California State Assembly, where she was the Speaker.
- Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes are former Obama administration officials who have remained active in political commentary and advocacy since leaving office. They co-founded Crooked Media, a progressive media company, and are known for their podcast "Pod Save America." Vietor served as National Security Council spokesperson, while Rhodes was the Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications. They often provide insights on current events and Democratic politics.
- Ilhan Omar is a Democratic U.S. Representative from Minnesota known for her progressive stances on various social and political issues. She has been vocal in her criticism of Israel's policies and has supported movements like BDS. Omar has faced controversy and backlash for her comments on Israel, leading to her removal from a committee position in the House of Representatives.
- Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist political and military organization that governs the Gaza Strip. It was founded in 1987 during the First Intifada and has engaged in conflicts with Israel. Hamas has a complex history, including winning elections in Palestine and controlling Gaza separately from the Palestinian National Authority.
- Defense Secretary Austin is the head of the United States Department of Defense. As a member of the President's Cabinet, the Defense Secretary is responsible for overseeing the military and advising the President on defense-related matters. The Defense Secretary plays a crucial role in shaping defense policies, managing military operations, and ensuring national security. Lloyd J. Austin III served as the Defense Secretary in the Biden administration as of my last knowledge update in September 2021.
Counterarguments
- Protests are a form of free speech and can be an important tool for raising awareness about issues such as Palestinian rights; not all protests are violent or lead to takeovers of buildings.
- Administrators may be attempting to balance the right to protest with campus safety and order, rather than simply being weak in their response.
- Democratic politicians may support the protesters' right to free speech and assembly, and their engagement does not necessarily equate to an endorsement of violence.
- Resettling refugees is a humanitarian act, and the vetting process for refugees coming to the U.S. is typically extensive, aiming to ensure that those with potential links to terrorist organizations are not admitted.
- The Gaza port facility could be seen as a peace-building measure that might help improve the economic situation in Gaza and potentially lead to a reduction in hostilities.
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Campus Protests Supporting Palestinian Groups
Recent university campus takeovers by pro-Palestinian groups have sparked controversy and comparisons to radical historical protests. Ben Shapiro highlights instances of campus unrest and the responses from administrators and politicians.
Widespread violent and destructive protests take over university campuses
Students and outside agitators participating
Shapiro discusses the takeover of academic buildings, such as those at Columbia University by anti-Israel protesters, indicating involvement by both students and outside agitators. Amid the chaos, authorities detained a person named Ami for carrying an American flag, while protesters remained for several days. Similarly, at the University of North Carolina, white protesters confronted black police officers, resulting in arrests.
Blocking access, screaming slurs, inciting intifadas
The scope of the protests has expanded to other campuses, like the City University of New York, where an American flag was replaced with a Palestinian flag, and at George Washington University, where a statue of George Washington was defaced. At Columbia, violent tactics were used, such as smashing a glass door, to seize Hamilton Hall and call for an intifada. Shapiro alleges that at UCLA, protestors blocked access and may have assaulted a Jewish student.
Weak responses from administrators embolden protestors
Shapiro reports on the weak responses from university administrations. For example, Brown University agreed to hold an Israel divestment vote in response to protests. At Northwestern University, the leadership acceded to several of the protesters' demands. These actions suggest that the administrators’ reactions may embolden protestors further.
Comparisons with radical 1960s/1970s campus protest movements
Shapiro draws parallels between the current protests and those of the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting the potentia ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Campus Protests Supporting Palestinian Groups
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- An intifada is an Arabic term for a rebellion or uprising, often used in the context of Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation. It involves a mix of violent and nonviolent methods to resist oppression. The term was first used in modern times in 1952 during protests in Iraq, and it gained prominence during the Palestinian uprisings known as the First Intifada (1987–1993) and the Second Intifada (2000–2005).
- The Weather Underground was a radical leftist militant group in the late 1960s and 1970s that aimed to overthrow the U.S. government through violent means. They conducted a series of bombings targeting government buildings and banks as part of their anti-war and anti-imperialist agenda. The group emerged from the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and engaged in domestic terrorist activities, leading to their classification as such by the FBI. The Weather Underground's actions were part of a broader wave of radical activism during that era.
- Karen Bass is an American politician who served as the 43rd mayor of Los Angeles starting in 2022. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has previously held positions in the U.S. House of Representatives and the California State Assembly. Bass has a background in social work and was the first African-American woman to serve as a speaker of a state legislative body in the United States.
- Joe Biden's administration faced challenges in formulating a clear stance on the protests to avoid alienating different segments of the population. The administration needed to balance the concerns of young voters, who might support the protests, with the views of centrists who might prioritize stability and order. This balancing act was complicated by the sensitive nature of the issue and the potential political ramifications of taking a definitive position. The administration's struggle to navigate these complexities was highlighted in the context of the ongoing campus protests.
- Tommy Vietor and Ben Rhodes are former Obama administration officials who have remained active in political commentary and advocacy since leaving office. They are known for their involvement in s ...
Counterarguments
- Protests are a form of free speech and can be a legitimate way to raise awareness about issues such as Palestinian rights.
- The involvement of outside agitators does not necessarily delegitimize the concerns of student protesters.
- Not all protests have been violent or destructive; some may have been peaceful and aimed at initiating dialogue.
- University administrators may be attempting to balance the right to protest with campus safety and order.
- Drawing parallels with radical movements of the past may overlook the unique context and motivations of current protests.
- Democratic politicians' sympathy ...
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Potential Responses From The Biden Administration
The Biden administration is evaluating different strategies regarding Palestinian refugees from the war-torn Gaza Strip, which includes considering resettlement in the U.S. and the construction of a port facility that has raised concerns about safety.
Proposing resettling Gazans in the US as refugees
The Biden administration is contemplating offering permanent safe haven to certain Palestinians from Gaza as refugees, focusing on those with immediate family members who are American citizens or permanent residents. Joe Biden's suggestion of admitting refugees from Gaza has drawn criticism from commentators like Ben Shapiro, who is apprehensive about the vetting process and the potential ties between the population and Hamas. The White House spokesperson has stated that the U.S. has already assisted over 1800 American citizens and their families in leaving Gaza, with many relocating to the United States. Eligibility for refugee status would necessitate passing thorough screenings, including eligibility, medical, and security checks, and would offer beneficiaries permanent residency along with housing assistance and a pathway to citizenship.
Building a $320 million Gaza port facility that puts US troops at risk
There are concerns about the security of American service members related to the construction of a port facility in the Gaz ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Potential Responses From The Biden Administration
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The conflict in Gaza involves long-standing tensions between Israel and Palestinian groups like Hamas, with Gaza being a Palestinian territory under Hamas control. The region has experienced multiple conflicts and wars, leading to significant humanitarian crises and infrastructure damage. The situation is complex, with issues related to borders, security, and the well-being of the civilian population. The conflict has drawn international attention and efforts to find lasting solutions to the ongoing challenges faced by the people in Gaza.
- Ben Shapiro is a conservative political commentator known for his strong views on various issues. In this context, Shapiro has criticized the Biden administration's consideration of resettling Palestinian refugees from Gaza in the U.S. due to concerns about the vetting process and potential ties to Hamas. His perspective adds a conservative viewpoint to the debate on this sensitive topic.
- The vetting process for refugees involves thorough screenings for eligibility, medical conditions, and security checks. Eligibility criteria typically include family ties to American citizens or permanent residents. Successful applicants may receive permanent residency, housing assistance, and a pathway to citizenship.
- Hamas is a Palestinian militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. It is considered a terrorist organization by some countries. The concern about ties between the Palestinian population and Hamas relates to the potential for individuals seeking refuge to have affiliations or sympathies with this group. This connection raises security worries and the need for thorough vetting processes to ensure that those granted refugee status do not pose a threat. The fear is that individuals with ties to Hamas could potentially bring security risks to the United States if they are resettled as refugees.
- The $320 million Gaza port facility mentioned in the text is a project under consideration by the Biden administration. It is intended to be built in the Gaza Str ...
Counterarguments
- The vetting process for refugees is typically extensive and designed to identify any potential security risks, suggesting that concerns about ties to Hamas could be mitigated through this rigorous screening.
- Resettling refugees with family ties in the U.S. could promote quicker integration and support networks, which might enhance the success of the resettlement program.
- The construction of a port facility in Gaza could be part of a broader strategy to improve the economic situation in the region, which might contribute to long-term stability and reduce the influence of extremist groups.
- The presence of American troops in conflict zones is not uncommon, and their deployment is usually accompanied by strict rules of engagement and measures to minimize risks.
- The criticism of placing American personnel at risk needs to be balanced with the potential long-term benefits of such a project, in ...
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