Empire State Building’s Controversial Tribute Sparks Confusion and Anger
Confusion and Anger Abound as Empire State Building Lights Up to Honor Muslim Country with Known ‘Terror Tentacles’
Americans are furious after the famed Empire State Building was seen lit up in the national colors of the Muslim nation of Qatar, only two months after the deadly attack by Hamas terrorists on Southern Israel.
The Empire State Building routinely lights the building in special colors to celebrate one thing or another, of course. And the building’s administrators made the announcement of last weekend’s lighting ceremony on their X account, noting on Sunday that the building was lit up in the burgundy and white colors of Qatar to celebrate the Muslim country’s “National Day.”
Tonight from midnight until sunrise, we will shine in burgundy and white to celebrate Qatar National Day pic.twitter.com/avU8RD1sjN
— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) December 17, 2023
It is perhaps unsurprising that the Empire State Building chose to observe the Qatari holiday. After all, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund now owns about 10 percent of the property which is one of America’s most famous skyscrapers.
But coming so soon on the tail of a Muslim terror attack on Israel, the timing is not great. And many took to social media to blast the building for its little lighting ceremony, especially since the country of Qatar has been harboring Palestinian terrorists for years.
Qatar funds and harbours terrorists who would like to fly a plane into you.
— Billboard Chris (@BillboardChris) December 18, 2023
Qatar… The scumbags who fund terrorism and who hide terrorism leaders who murder Israelis and Americans?! Really?
REALLY?
— Chanah Angelica Kamen (@AngelicaKamen) December 18, 2023
Please don’t endorse a nation with terror tentacles.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) December 18, 2023
This is AMERICA. The only colors the Empire State Building should be are RED, WHITE, and BLUE. pic.twitter.com/XB6xawOAry
— Julia (@Jules31415) December 18, 2023
The timing was infuriating, for sure. But the naysayers are right that Qatar is a harborer of terrorists. As Joseph Epstein, a legislative fellow for the Endowment of Middle East Truth, noted in Newsweek in October after the Hamas attack on Israel, Qatar has aided and abetted terror for decades. But not just by aiding Hamas, but by funding a long list of other terror groups, as well.
Epstein wrote, “Qatari funds and political support have reportedly made their way to groups like the Janjaweed who carried out the infamous genocide in Darfur, Sudan, to various branches of Al Qaeda, and to the Taliban. According to a 2017 congressional hearing, a top Qatari official ‘provided support’ to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks. Top U.S. officials have said that Qatar created a ‘permissive terrorist financing environment.’”
Qatar denies all this, but the evidence is not on their side, Epstein noted.
“Its government openly houses Hamas leaders and uses the state-funded channel Al Jazeera to carry out one of the largest propaganda campaigns against Israel in both the Middle East and the West. Qatar is also one of the largest funders of Gaza, pumping more than $1 billion into the Hamas-run territory,” Epstein added.
Epstein is hardly alone in suggesting that the U.S. and other Western nations need to treat Qatar as hostile. Meir Ben Shabbat, the head of the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy, and Asher Fredman, a Senior Fellow at the Misgav Institute, wrote in The Hill this month that “Qatar has been a prime sponsor of Hamas” and needs to be held accountable.
The Middle East Media Research Institute, which translates Middle Eastern news sources into English, also reported this month that Qatar is not an American ally, despite Washington’s glad handling of the oil-rich nation.
Sadly, the one reason the U.S. usually turns a blind eye to Qatar’s sponsoring of terror is because of that oil. Qatar produces approximately 1.3 million barrels of oil per day, making the country one of the top 15 oil exporting countries in the world. It is also one of the world’s major fertilizer producers. So, Washington has a vested interest in maintaining smooth waters with Qatar.
Qatar’s detractors are right. It is long past time to hold them accountable for the misery they have exported across the world in their sponsorship of Islamofascist terror. And the detractors of the Empire State Building are also right. Lighting the building in the colors of one of the world’s worst enemies is an outrage.
The post Confusion and Anger Abound as Empire State Building Lights Up to Honor Muslim Country with Known ‘Terror Tentacles’ appeared first on The Western Journal.
What steps should the Empire State Building take to ensure that their lighting ceremonies align with the values and interests of the American people and do not support or condone terrorism
A to promote extremist and radical content. According to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Qatar is a “significant security threat” and is involved in financing terrorism. It is appalling that the Empire State Building would choose to honor a country with known “terror tentacles” in such a manner.
Furthermore, the decision to light up the Empire State Building in the colors of Qatar after an attack by Hamas terrorists on Israel is insensitive and disrespectful. Hamas is an internationally recognized terrorist organization responsible for countless acts of violence and bloodshed. By honoring Qatar, the Empire State Building is indirectly condoning and supporting the actions of Hamas and other terrorist groups.
This incident raises important questions about the values and principles that the Empire State Building represents. As an iconic symbol of American resilience and freedom, it is disappointing to see it used to honor a country with a questionable track record when it comes to supporting terrorism and human rights violations.
Americans have every right to be confused and angry about this decision. It is a slap in the face to the victims of terrorism and sends a dangerous message that the Empire State Building is willing to overlook and even celebrate countries that sponsor and support terrorist activities.
Moving forward, it is crucial that the Empire State Building and its administrators carefully consider the symbolism and significance of their lighting ceremonies. They should be mindful of the messages they are sending and the impact it can have on the American people.
Moreover, it is essential for the American public to continue to hold institutions accountable for their actions and express their concerns when they feel their values are compromised. The Empire State Building belongs to the American people, and their opinions and voices should be heard and respected.
In conclusion, the decision to light up the Empire State Building in the colors of Qatar, a country with known “terror tentacles,” is deeply troubling and disrespectful. It is essential for institutions like the Empire State Building to uphold the values and principles they represent and not engage in actions that support or condone terrorism. We must continue to demand transparency and accountability from our institutions and ensure that they align with the values and interests of the American people.
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