New York, NY, June 30, 2014 – The Director of the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, and the Koret Scholar, Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Dr. Charles Asher Small is horrified by the murder of three Israeli teenage boys. The bodies of Naftali Fraenkel, 16, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Eyal Yifrach, 19, were discovered today near Hebron. In response, Dr. Small, issued the following statement:
“The murder of Naftali Fraenkel 16, Gilad Shaar 16, and Eyal Yifrach 19, three teenage boys just at the beginning of their lives is a horrific and unconscionable act of barbarism. This horror must serve as a wakeup call to our political, intellectual and communal leaders. Hamas and other radical reactionary social movements – such as the Iranian Revolutionary Regime, Hezbollah and other Jihadists – must be taken seriously for their basic ideological and political objectives. They call openly for the murder of Jewish people – the killing of gay people – the subjugation of women and religious minorities – and the elimination of democratic principles such as equality for all citizens. Therefore, this inhumane act of murder, is pathetically all but predictable.
We know from history that antisemitism is a strain of hatred that begins with Jews – but it never ends with Jews. Jews are the canary in the coal mine for all of society. In the current context, others are being targeted by this reactionary social movement of hatred and barbarism – throughout the Middle East – Africa – Europe – Asia and North America. As this movement of hatred grows – it appears that unspeakable acts of carnage and destruction are becoming all too commonplace globally.
We must protect democratic principles with profound strength and a deep commitment – and never weaken our resolve to defend our way of life which is based on respect for life, freedom and liberty – from those with a clear stated intent to destroy it.”