Kennedy Jr. Defends Remarks on Arab Contributions, Praises Israel

U.S. Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sparked controversy last week after stating that Arabs do not contribute to science, literature, and research, questioning, "There are 500 million Arabs in the world, and yet they don't produce science." Kennedy made these remarks at a Senate election rally in Michigan, where Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed, an American of Egyptian descent, is running.

Following the rally, Kennedy published a 3,700-word post on X, defending his statements. He clarified that his comments were not directed at Arabs or Islam but against "Islamism," which he defined as a violent ideology opposed to modernity and freedom. Kennedy asserted that criticizing Islamism is not Islamophobia or racism. He also accused the Muslim Brotherhood of spreading global propaganda against Israel, funded by Iran and Gulf states.

A significant portion of Kennedy's post was dedicated to Israel and the Jewish people. He lauded Jewish contributions to science, medicine, technology, and Western culture, highlighting Israel as an example of a nation that transformed limited resources into an economic and technological powerhouse. He described Israel as a "strong and heroic bastion of freedom and Western values," contrasting its achievements with the situation in the Gaza Strip under Hamas rule, which he blamed for prioritizing terrorism over Palestinian societal development.

The post concluded with a personal and political attack on Abdul El-Sayed, questioning his ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and demanding a clear renunciation. Kennedy stated, "Americans should not fear a candidate for the U.S. Senate who is loyal to an ideology that hates our country."

Kennedy faced widespread criticism from the media, health professionals, and even his own family following his remarks. El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit public health director, called Kennedy "the most unqualified Secretary of Health we've ever had." Professor Peter Hotez, a prominent U.S. vaccine and tropical medicine researcher, reminded Kennedy of the late Egyptian-American Nobel laureate scientist Ahmed Zewail. Kennedy's sister, human rights activist Kerry Kennedy, expressed shame for her brother's comments, stating that ethnicity or religion does not determine scientific or intellectual capabilities and calling his remarks false, cruel, and demeaning.