The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has pointed to the hypocrisy and selectivity of Senator Christopher S. Murphy (D–CT) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) in protesting President Donald Trump’s invitation to Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to visit him at the White House –– while being struck dumb at a similar invitation this week issued to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas.

Senator Murphy said “said on Twitter of the Duterte visit, “We are watching in real time as the American human rights bully pulpit disintegrates into ash.”

HRW’s Asia advocacy director, John Sifton, was also strongly critical, saying, “By essentially endorsing Duterte’s murderous war on drugs, Trump is now morally complicit in future killings …Although the traits of his personality likely make it impossible, Trump should be ashamed of himself” (‘Trump’s ‘Very Friendly’ Talk With Duterte Stuns Aides and Critics Alike,’ New York Times, April 30, 2017).

Also, HRW’s Asia division deputy director, Phelim Kine, said, “Countries with close bilateral ties to the Philippines, particularly the United States, have an obligation to urge accountability for the victims of Duterte’s abusive drug war, rather than offer to roll out the red carpet for official state visits with its mastermind” (‘Rodrigo Duterte Says He May Be Too Busy for White House Visit,’ May 1, 2017).

ZOA National President Morton A. Klein said, “Senator Murphy and HRW’s criticism of President Trump’s invitation to President Duterte to come to the White House is inconsistent and hypocritical.

“While Murphy and HRW are genuinely concerned at this invitation to President Duterte, they should also be vociferously criticizing President Trump for issuing an invitation to PA president Abbas, who is due to come to the White House this same week.

“After all, Abbas’ human rights record is appalling.

“Mr. Abbas and the PA pay stipends to jailed terrorists in proportion to the number of people they kill. (See PA salaries to terrorists and their families, Palestinian Media Watch, April 2011). Mr Abbas and the PA also awards pensions to the families of dead terrorists. (See PA will raise payments to terrorists’ families, Palestinian Media Watch, April 4, 2011). Mr. Abbas calls for a Jew-free country, saying: “We have frankly said, and always will say: If there is an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, we won’t agree to the presence of one Israeli in it” (Khaled Abu Toameh, ‘Abbas vows: No room for Israelis in Palestinian state,’ Jerusalem Post, December 25, 2010).

“The New York Times also spends a great deal of time decrying President Trump about the Duterte invitation, as if it is anything exceptional. It notes that President Trump recently called another strongman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on his recent referendum victory.

“Objectionable as Mr. Erdogan is, this is standard diplomatic practice. The New York Times did not have anything deeply critical to say of Erdogan when he was among President Obama’s favorite foreign leaders.

“Nor did I see the New York Times object when, in 2012, former President Obama called Mohammed Morsi, candidate of the radical Islamic Muslim Brotherhood, to congratulate him on his victory in the Egyptian presidential elections.”