Kerry on Rejecting ‘Islamic Extremism’ Label: We Can’t ‘Blame Muslims Collectively’

Over the past few weeks, some members of the press (and the conservative media) have been criticizing the White House for refusing to say the phrase “Islamic extremism” in reference to the Paris attacks or other acts of terrorism. Aside from Josh Earnest, the administration has not addressed such criticism publicly, but speaking at the World Economic Forum today, Secretary of State John Kerry indirectly responded to those criticisms.

Kerry said many a terrorist group “illegitimately claims an ideological and religious foundation” for what they do, and warned the West about not overreacting too much:

“The biggest error we could make would be to blame Muslims collectively for crimes not committed by Muslims alone. Crimes that the overwhelming majority of Muslims oppose. Crimes that their faith utterly rejects, and that Muslim leaders themselves have the greatest ability to address.”

He also pointed out that in many cases, Muslims are the biggest victims of violent extremism.

Watch the video below, via C-SPAN:

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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