MK Michael Oren — Israel should set example in defending non-violent Muslims

Kulanu MK Michael Oren says acknowledging the existence of an extremist, radical Islam is just as important as avoiding making generalizations about Muslims.

“While it’s very important that we acknowledged the fact that there is an extremist form of Islam that destroys Israel and Western civilization, it is also equally important that we make every effort not incriminate all Muslims. And that it’s precisely Israel that must stand up and defend not only its own peaceful Muslim population but the countless millions of Muslims who abhor terror and who are first victims of terror,” Oren tells the Times of Israel.

He says that during his stint as Israeli ambassador to the US he hosted an Iftar dinner with the goal of fighting Islamophobia. “We Jews, who have been the victims of gross and hostile generalizations throughout our history, should be first out there to condemn it.”

The full interview with Michael Oren will appear on The Times of Israel soon.

— Raphael Ahren