Over the course of the last two weeks, I experienced a large range of emotions. I have been sickened to my stomach, disappointed in some of my fellow elected officials, and given strength by the showing of support by many of my fellow Coloradans.

The history of my family has taught me a lot about anti-Semitism; my position as the only Jewish Republican in the state legislature has opened my eyes to many who make bold, audacious comments without a clue about reality. The joining of the two compels me to speak up.

My grandmother survived the Holocaust. Her parents were shot in the street in front of her; her brother was sent to the gas chamber at Auschwitz; it was a miracle she survived. These are the stories I, and many Jews like me, grew up hearing. We have long proclaimed “never forget,” yet the justification the Nazis made for killing Jews lives on with Hamas, and the ignorance of it continues to live on as well.

Hamas’ very charter says, “The Day of Judgment will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and Kill them.” The ignorance that these were just extremists in a movement toward self-rule is ridiculous. Their goal is to kill Jews, self-rule is a mere consequence.

We have heard justification for attacking Israel as a reaction from Palestinians forced to live under a system of Apartheid. I myself was born in South Africa while Apartheid was still the law of the land. Those who claim this either do not understand Apartheid or the state of affairs in Gaza.

Apartheid was abominable, but it is not what is happening in Gaza. Gaza is not subject to Israeli law; they have their own laws. Muslims in Israel have the same rights as any other Israeli.

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Many years later, I find myself in a position to help prevent us from forgetting the past as a state representative. Though I may be the only Republican Jewish member of the state legislature, this is not a Republican or Democrat issue, it is an issue of right and wrong. I swore to faithfully perform the duties of the office I hold, and I must use it to ensure the truth about Israel is being told.

I also swore to support the Constitution, which I have been a stalwart defender of. As Americans, we have First Amendment rights. I respect that right and I respect the ability of any individuals who are using their rights to defend these terrible acts and to protest against Israel. I will continue to defend their right to do so.

The rest of us have that right too and we must use our freedom of speech to not let this become acceptable. When voices of sanity stay quiet, the voices of those with dangerous ideas grow. It is on each of us to ensure the rationale of hatred is never forgotten, for it will always rear its ugly head if we do not.

Colorado needs to continue to stand with Israel. Everyone needs to be aware of acts of terrorism against Jewish children and the elderly. These are war crimes no people deserve. Hamas, and terrorist organizations like it, need to be extinguished from this world so western civilized nations can continue to live in peace.

Ron Weinberg represents Colorado House District 51. He is a Republican from Loveland.