This week, Arizona Congressman Trent Franks issued a scathing indictment of President Obama for his failure to take any steps continued Christian genocide in Iraq. As chair of the International Religious Freedom Caucus, says he is outraged that the President has not said “one word” about what his “administration is doing or is planning to do, even as terrorists behead Christians, and play soccer with the decapitated heads.”
The text of his statement:
“Mr. President, last month, 55 of my colleagues and I sent you and Secretary Kerry a letter asking that you actively prioritize security and humanitarian support for the Christian community in Iraq. We specifically warned you of the dangers and brutality of the terrorist group ISIS, who are now rampaging across Iraq and terrorizing the vulnerable Christian population.
“In the letter, we specifically pointed out that, ‘Parts of Syria and Iraq that have previously fallen under the rule of ISIS have witnessed summary execution, beheadings and even crucifixions.’ And that, ‘Absent immediate action, we will most certainly witness the annihilation of an ancient faith community from the lands they’ve inhabited for centuries.’
“Tragically, Mr. President, you simply ignored us again, as you have done so many times before. And now ISIS, the group you once likened to a junior varsity basketball team—is beheading its way across Iraq, and has declared that there would be ‘nothing for [the Christians] but the sword” if they do not convert.’
“Mr. President, last week, ISIS torched an 1,800-year-old church in Mosul and deliberately and insidiously destroyed the historic tomb of Jonah.
“Last Sunday, for the first time in 1,600 years, there was no Mass in Mosul. The head of Iraq’s largest Christian community said, “For the first time in the history of Iraq, Mosul is now empty of Christians.”
“And now, images of ISIS beheadings, crucifixions, rapes, torture and mass execution are all over the Internet and social media. Just yesterday, I met with a group of NGOs based in Iraq who told me ISIS recently beheaded six Christians—and then proceeded to play soccer with their decapitated heads.
“Mr. President, the ISIS targeting of Christians has been systematic and horrifying and Iraq’s Christians in the region are now nearly extinct. It can rightly be called targeted religious cleansing, and, Sir, it is a crime against humanity.
“And yet, Mr. President, we have not heard a single word from you. Even as a literal Christian genocide is taking place at this very moment, you have not uttered even one syllable about what your administration is doing or planning to do to relieve or protect these persecuted Christians in Iraq.
“So now, speaking and pleading with you directly, Sir, I once again repeat the words we wrote in our letter to you a month ago:
“‘We urge you and your administration to urgently and actively engage with the Iraqi central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to prioritize additional security support for these particularly vulnerable populations and provide emergency humanitarian assistance to those affected communities. Absent immediate action, we will most certainly witness the annihilation of an ancient faith community from the lands they’ve inhabited for centuries.’
“Mr. President, if you continue to ignore this Christian Genocide in Iraq, history WILL record that it was you who idly stood on the sidelines and KNOWINGLY let it happen.”