A post by Representative Jamil Al-Sayyed on the “X” platform caused a widespread uproar, as he commented on the joint press conference held by the US Secretary of Defense and the Chief of Staff, which Al-Sayyed described as aiming to convince American public opinion opposed to the war on Iran of the justifications for this war “morally, legally and militarily.”
Al-Sayyed explained that he followed the conference, which, in his opinion, sought to dispel fears of an “imminent Iranian threat” threatening the United States and the “civilized world,” and to confirm that Washington was not drawn into the war under pressure from Israel, considering that this type of justifications is “natural and normal in similar war situations” with the aim of calming public dissatisfaction.
But Al-Sayyid saw that “the most dangerous thing mentioned in the conference” was the use of explicit statements, as he put it, that classified the current war as “a crusade against Muslims in general under the banner of Christ,” noting that the Minister of Defense specifically mentioned the name of Christ, something that “no one has done before him since the Middle Ages,” according to him.
Al-Sayyed wondered: Does this “sectarian agitation by the highest officials in pluralistic America,” which he confirms that Israel has been working on since its founding, reflects strength or weakness, wisdom or recklessness?
Al-Sayyid also raised questions about the impact of this speech on the internal unity of the United States, and on its standing abroad, especially in the Islamic world, which “venerates and honors Jesus Christ,” as he said, compared to what he considered a contradictory Israeli position.
Al-Sayed concluded his post by saying: “In wars, all dirty weapons become permissible,” but he added: “There is no filth of this size that does not eventually turn against its owners.”
Al-Sayyed’s comments come in light of the escalation of tension between the United States and Iran, and in the midst of an internal American division over the feasibility of the war and its regional and international consequences.
In light of this escalation in the region, fears are increasing that political and military discourse will slide into religious or sectarian dimensions, which may increase polarization and complicate any potential settlement efforts, especially in a region where ideological considerations overlap with geopolitical interests.
