CHULA VISTA, California –This article responds to an esteemed colleague who weighed in on the congressional candidacy of Ammar Campa-Najjar. Before beginning, I wish to make something clear: It is difficult to take incumbent Congressman Duncan Hunter seriously given his alleged illicit activities while he was in office. Frankly, he ought to resign because he embarrasses all of us—regardless of our political party. Hunter is the wrong man to criticize challenger Campa-Najjar.
The colleague recalled a meeting that he and other rabbis had with Campa-Najjar, where members of the San Diego Rabbinical Association spoke with him about the issues that concerned them. I gather that some of the rabbis supported him, while others did not.
Had this meeting been more recent and had I been there, I would have asked him what did he think of Ilhan Omar’s anti-Semitic remarks? Questions like: What does he think of Louis Farrakhan’s Jewish “Termite Problem”? What is his position concerning Sharia Law? Does he believe in the separation of Mosque and State? Does he believe that the Jewish people have a right to live in their homeland? Does he recognize the special and historical attachments Jews have with the Promised Land? Does he agree with Omar’s view that Jesus was a Palestinian? Since he identifies as a Christian, I think his answer would be really interesting. Does he support the BDS boycott against Israel?
Why has he not made a single public condemnation against the Muslim representatives who spew their hatred toward the Jews and Zionism in Congress? What does he think about Palestinian camps where young children are taught to stab an Israeli? What is his opinion concerning the Holocaust? Does he think that the Jews “made it up” to win sympathy for a Jewish state?
The columnist Ran Meir, who writes for the acclaimed “Clarion Project” raises some of the most penetrating questions that we have yet to find answers about Yasser Mohammad Yousef al-Najjar, the father of Ammar. He noted, “While no child is responsible for the actions of their parent, there is a question of how much a child is influenced by a parent. Former President Barack Obama in a run-up to his presidential election campaign published his book, Dreams of My Father. Other candidates and public figures have done the same (or at least had candid dialogues) to be transparent about their history . . . The question voters in the 50th district should be asking is: What role does Campa-Najjar’s father still play in his life, and how much has he inspired his own views?”
There are other concerns that I would like to bring up.
Campa-Najjar’s candidacy is all the more complex given the fact his grandfather was reportedly one of the chief architects of the infamous Munich Massacre.
When Campa-Najjar first announced his candidacy, he made no mention to the public about being a grandson of a Munich Massacre architect. What was he thinking? Did Campa-Najjar imagine this would not come up? The fact he was not forthcoming suggests a lack of personal honesty. When he was eventually confronted, Campa-Najjar tried to hide this connection, but when reporters and others interrogated him, he still downplayed the atrocity that took place, saying:
- For the sake of the victims, I hoped this tragedy wouldn’t be politicized. But if these old wounds must be re-opened, then I pray God gives purpose to their unspeakable pain. I pray that purpose is to see peace prioritized by my generation of Palestinians, Israelis and the whole of humanity.[1]
But who are the “victims” he is referring to?
Remember, the Mossad saw that every one of the Black September terrorists met a violent death for their part in the massacre. Could Campa-Najjar be referring to the dead Palestinian terrorists the Israelis killed? Is he intimating there is a moral equivalency here? In addition, we remember that the Israelis killed his grandparents. In his mind, he might have created a moral equivalency. Another writer expressed the problem from a different perspective, Pedro Gonzalez pointed out:
- “Tragedy” implies that no one is to blame. It sounds so much more benign than “murder,” “atrocity,” or “massacre.” The murders in Munich, an atrocity facilitated by Campa-Najjar’s grandfather, are accurately described as a massacre. Palestinian terrorists castrated Yossef Romano, one of the Israeli victims, in front of his teammates before executing him…But given this statement, voters in the staunchly supportive Navy town of San Diego have a right to wonder if Campa-Najjar carries any sympathy for the atrocity his grandfather committed or for the cause in the name of which it was proclaimed to have been carried out. It’s not unfair to ask the question and his “answer” (such as it is) is not satisfactory.[2]
I must agree, a massacre of this magnitude is much more serious than a tragedy, at least as understood in the Greek sense of the term. Greek actors would often present a play, where the protagonist, usually a person of importance and outstanding personal qualities, falls to disaster because of a personal failing and (or) circumstances with which he or she cannot deal with. The Munich Massacre hardly fits this classical understanding of “tragedy.” There was nothing “heroic” about murdering innocent athletes who traveled to play the Olympic games.
However, in fairness to Campa-Najjar, he did later refer to the attack as a “massacre.”
If I could ask him another question, I wonder: What is his view about the possibility of an Islamic Reformation? Criticism of its power structures, its religious beliefs are necessary—if Islam will succeed in the 21st century and beyond. Sharia ought to be an anathema for everyone—especially for the Muslim community.
I for one believe that every person has the right and duty to express criticism about any faith or philosophy without being socially ostracized as a “racist” or be labeled as a hater of Islam. Our Constitution enshrines the freedom of speech, and I for one will not let any religion try to undo the First Amendment. We would be wise to remember the words of Voltaire, who proclaimed, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
If Campa-Najjar can answer most of my questions satisfactorily, and will advocate a genuine Islamic Reformation, I might consider voting for him at the next election.
[1] https://www.jpost.com/American-Politics/Congressional-candidate-renounces-violent-legacy-calls-for-Mideast-peace-543379
[2] https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/271588/stealth-palestinian-running-congress-pedro-gonzale*
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Rabbi Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista. He may be contacted via michael.samuel@sdjewishworld.com
The following letter was received from Carol Gendel of San Marcos:
Dear Rabbi Samuel,
Your 8/29/19 column in the SD Jewish World just came to my attention and, as someone who has had the opportunity to observe Ammar Campa Najjar up close in the 2018 50th congressional race, I cannot let it pass without responding.
Campa-Najjar has spoken out often about anti-Semitic comments from whatever source, including Ilhan Omar and Louis Farrakhan. As a member of the Jewish community I feel that he strongly supports me and our community. And there are many members of the San Diego Jewish community who have taken the time to look into his beliefs and actions, and also support him.
Ammar is a strong supporter of Israel, has spoken often in support of a two state solution and has been endorsed by J Street.
As someone who actually spent part of his youth in Gaza, he truly understands the problems on the ground and knows that there must be change. But he does not advocate violence, nor does he believe children of either side should be taught to hate. Of course he KNOWS the Holocaust was real. He has met and talked with survivors. And many of them are supporters as well.
You bring up his grandfather and father with the implication that such violence must be inherited. Have you read the book “Rise And Kill First” by Ronen Bergman? In that book the very claim that Mohammad Yousef al-Najjar (Ammar’s grandfather, not his father) was the mastermind of the 1972 Munich attack is discredited. Was he involved, yes, but definitely not the brains behind the attack. The grandfather died 16 years before Ammar was born so what, exactly, are you implying?
As for his father, Ammar was raised by his mother here in San Diego. He spent three years living in Gaza near his father because his mom wanted them to have some kind of relationship. I would suggest that the kindness and compassion of his mother played far more of a role in shaping the character of this young man than his absent father.
I am sure that you know Mr. Campa-Najjar is a Christian, not Muslim, so am confused why you think he would be a supporter of Sharia law, (when even Muslims like MOC Omar and Tlaib do not support substituting Sharia law in the U.S.) Such insinuations are insulting to their commitment to the Constitution and laws of our country. I have many Muslim friends and not a single one wishes to see Sharia law replace the laws of the United States. We in the Jewish community have established Bet Dins that rule over matters of religious concern; how is that any different than Islamic faithful wishing to have a religious venue to rule over similar concerns? Would you have those Jewish courts viewed as disloyal?
Why would you even ask about his views on an Islamic Reformation or anything else related to Islam when that is not his belief system?
Rabbi Samuel, have you bothered to sit down and ask these questions directly to Mr. Campa-Najjar before writing this column? I am certain he would have been very willing to answer any and all of them. He is a thoughtful and very open person who truly cares about helping all members of our district and our country, regardless of party, faith, or race.
Respectfully,
Carol Gendel
San Marcos, CA
Dear Ms. Gendel,
If you or any other supporter of Campa-Najjar would be so kind as to hyperlink articles where he explicitly condemned the anti-Semitic rhetoric of Tamika D. Mallory and Linda Sarsour who have rushed to the defense of Rep. Ilhan Omar, blasting politicians who criticized the Minnesota Democrat for comments widely seen as anti-Semitic–we would certainly appreciate it.
And while terrorism is a matter of nurture more than nature, Campa-Najjar needs to step up to the plate on issues concerning Jewish women and the Washington Women’s March–a movement that has been badly affected by its anti-Semitic leadership. Of course there are many other issues he could address.
Public statements and stories regarding Campa-Najjar’s criticism of Louis Farrakhan would equally be appreciated and would give us a better understanding as to where he really stands on the issues.
The Muslim Reformist Imam Mohamed Tawhidi observed, “When I first heard that two Muslim women were running for Congress, I was very happy, because I thought this was now the opportunity for Muslims to have a voice other than the voice of ISIS. But now we have the same situation, except with lipstick.” He has also condemned CAIR for its promotion of Islamic radicals into our political system.
I respect Imam Tawhidi’s view; if Campa Najjar were willing to adopt a similar unambiguous position, he would win my respect.
The fact that CAIR endorses him ought to be a serious concern for any thinking Jewish person. We know that CAIR opposes the idea of Israel as a Jewish state. We know that CAIR is a proud supporter of HAMAS.
A man is judged by the company he keeps–and frankly, we have good reason as a Jewish community to be concerned.
An Islamic Reformation is a concept that thoughtful Jews, Christians, and Muslims really support. Radical Islam is a serious problem to human civilization–and it must be condemned in the strongest and unflinching terms. We owe this to the victims of 9/11, anything else will not do. And do we as Jews, Christians and Muslims have a right to demand such a change?
Of course we do.
Respectfully,
Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel