Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, has drawn sharp criticism for his controversial remarks advocating the establishment of a Jewish temple at the site of Al-Aqsa Mosque in the occupied al-Quds, as well as for his history of anti-Muslim rhetoric. Rights groups are now urging the Senate to reject his nomination.
Hegseth, a former television host, made his call for the rebuilding of the Jewish temple during a 2018 event at al-Quds’ King David Hotel. Referring to the sacred site, he said, “There’s no reason why the miracle of re-establishing the temple on the Temple Mount isn’t possible.”
“I don’t know how it would happen, you don’t know how it would happen, but I know that it could happen — and a step in that process is the recognition that facts and activities on the ground truly matter.” He also urged Israel to take advantage of the Trump administration’s backing, calling its officials "true believers," according to the Middle East Eye.
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The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has issued a strong statement condemning Hegseth’s nomination.
“Mr. Hegseth’s war-mongering, defense of those accused of war crimes, call for the destruction of Al-Aqsa mosque, and his virulently anti-Muslim views should disqualify him from any role in our nation’s government,” said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR’s National Deputy Director, on Friday.
“If President-elect Trump is serious about pursuing peace abroad and putting American interests above the interests of foreign governments, he should withdraw Mr. Hegseth’s nomination, and failing that, his nomination should be rejected by the Senate,” he said as quoted by the rights group website.
Hegseth’s views have also come under scrutiny in a recent Washington Post report. In his 2020 book, American Crusade, Hegseth reportedly takes aim at Islam, describing it as a religion that “is not a religion of peace, and it never has been.”
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He also raises alarm about Muslim immigration, referring to it as a “cultural invasion.” He suggests the United States faces a fate similar to Europe unless action is taken, lamenting the rise of Muslim political representation and warning against what he perceives as an erosion of traditional Christian values.
The report highlighted Hegseth’s frequent invocation of the phrase “Deus Vult” (Latin for “God wills it”), a rallying cry from the First Crusade, which he has tattooed on his arm.
Rights groups, including CAIR, have expressed alarm over Hegseth’s rhetoric, which they argue echoes extremist ideologies.
Source: Agencies