Supporters of Charlie Kirk are defending his legacy against conspiracy theories following his assassination, emphasizing his steadfast commitment to Israel and opposition to Hamas.
In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, supporters are pushing back against conspiracy theories that attempt to sever his ties with Israel. Critics of the Jewish state have misrepresented Kirk’s recent statements and spread unfounded claims about his views. Just hours after his murder, and before a suspect was identified, wild conspiracies began circulating on social media platforms. The Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism reported thousands of posts containing these baseless accusations.
Amid these efforts to distort Kirk’s legacy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to him, describing him as a champion of “speaking truth and defending freedom.” Netanyahu characterized Kirk as a “lion-hearted friend of Israel” who fought against lies and stood firm for Judeo-Christian civilization.
Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, also condemned the misinformation on social media. He expressed his distress over individuals in the U.S. attempting to profit from Kirk’s death by spreading outrageous lies. Huckabee praised Netanyahu for setting the record straight regarding Kirk’s character and impact.
Rabbi Pesach Wolicki, who spoke with Kirk via Zoom the night before his assassination, emphasized that Kirk had consistently voiced support for Israel, despite occasionally expressing criticism. Wolicki noted that Kirk had initiated their meeting, wanting to prepare for questions he anticipated facing during an upcoming campus tour. “Why would he do that if he had abandoned Israel?” Wolicki asked, asserting that the very fact the meeting took place demonstrated Kirk’s commitment to the Jewish state.
Wolicki recalled that just a month prior, Kirk had faced backlash for being “too supportive” of Israel. While they did not delve into the origins of Kirk’s views, Wolicki pointed out that Kirk’s evangelical Christian beliefs aligned with the right of the Jewish nation to thrive. “He said publicly many times that he believed the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people and that he supported Israel’s war against Hamas,” Wolicki stated. “He was not soft on our enemies. He supported Israel, even when he was critical.”
In a viral video from a debate at Cambridge earlier this year, Kirk passionately defended Israel. “When you declare war on Israel, expect a firestorm in reaction,” he asserted. He described the events of a recent attack by Hamas, stating, “On Shabbat, Hamas invaded Israel, deciding to go recklessly to music concerts, to homes, to kibbutzes and taking 200-plus hostages. They knew what they were doing.”
Kirk acknowledged the tragic reality of war, stating, “A tragic truth of war is that civilians die. I don’t like it, and you don’t like it. And they brought it upon themselves. The only operation and entity to blame is the leadership of Hamas, not the Israeli government, for fighting this defensive war. … There is a good guy and there is a bad guy.”
In a recent appearance on Megyn Kelly’s podcast, Kirk described himself as having a “bulletproof resume” when it comes to defending Israel on college campuses and social media. He expressed his belief in the scriptural land rights given to Israel and the fulfillment of prophecy. “I want them to win, and I’ve said that repeatedly,” he stated. Kirk also noted that he sometimes felt he had “less ability” to criticize the Israeli government online than actual Israelis do.
He emphasized his desire for civilization to prevail, stating, “I want the West to win. I don’t want the Islamo-fascist barbarians to storm the gates of Jerusalem. I want the holy sites protected. I believe in the Holy Land; I love that Jesus walked on water there and rose from the dead.” Kirk cautioned against hostile reactions to criticism, warning that such responses could weaken two of Israel’s strongest advocates.
Chief Rabbi David Yosef of Israel expressed his “deep sorrow” over Kirk’s assassination, calling him “a clear and unwavering voice of truth.” Josh Nass, a former conservative youth commentator who met Kirk in 2012 when he was launching Turning Point USA, reflected on Kirk’s dedication to Israel. “If you take Israel out of the picture, what Charlie dedicated his life to simply falls apart,” Nass said. He added that Kirk was passionate about fighting the culture war and that his love for Israel was sincere.
Israel Ganz, head of the Yesha Council, which represents local authorities in Judea and Samaria, expressed his community’s mourning over the loss of a “friend and lover of Israel.” In a demonstration of the coexistence that Kirk promoted, dozens of Christians and Jews gathered atop Jerusalem’s Temple Mount to honor him, praying for peace for Kirk’s widow and children and offering strength and solidarity during their time of grief.
Source: Original article