Former Reagan Aide Claims Christian Persecution in Middle East is Due to GOP's Support of Israel

Amanda Casanova | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor | Updated: Dec 31, 2015

Former Reagan Aide Claims Christian Persecution in Middle East is Due to GOP's Support of Israel

A former aide to President Ronald Reagan said in a Forbes op-ed piece that the persecution of Christians in the Middle East is because of the GOP’s support for Israel.

Doug Bandow, a former special assistant to Reagan, writes in the Forbes column that the Republicans’ “commitment” to Israel “hurts Christians there,” according to The Christian Post.

"Rubio's concern [about persecution of Christians in the Middle East] no doubt is genuine. However, the policies implemented by his party and advocated by him and his fellow GOP presidential contenders have hurt and will continue to hurt Christians around the world," writes Bandow.

"Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who actively aids Israeli settlers in the West Bank, harming Christian and Muslim Palestinians alike. And Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who last year used a conference of persecuted Christians as a campaign prop to proclaim his everlasting fealty to Israel."

Bandow also criticized some Republican presidential candidates concerning how they plan to handle the Islamic State terror group. He said ousting Assad wouldn’t help because Assad is the “most effective force opposing ISIL.”

In 2005, an online report from BusinessWeek found that Bandow had accepted payment from Jack Abramoff, an indicted lobbyist, to write op-ed articles for Abramoff’s clients.

"It was a lapse of judgment on my part, and I take full responsibility for it,” Bandow said at the time.

Publication date: December 31, 2015



Former Reagan Aide Claims Christian Persecution in Middle East is Due to GOP's Support of Israel