Franks to Obama: ‘How Much Longer Will You Remain ... Silent’ on ISIS Killing Christians?

"Mr. President, it has now been more than a year since the Islamic State drove hundreds of thousands of Christians from the land of their spiritual heritage in Iraq and Syria. This year, the joy of Christmas will not be celebrated in the churches and places of worship that Christians have cherished there for thousands of years. Instead, they will observe this sacred holiday under the constant threat of being hunted down and slaughtered by terrorists simply because they’re Christians. You are and have been fully aware that Christians, along with Yazidis, and other religious communities have been subjected to extreme brutality and barbaric attacks that should justly be considered and condemned as genocide. And yet, Mr. President, I am dumbfounded by recent reports which suggest that your administration may exclude Christians and other religious communities from the designation of genocide victims at the hands of the Islamic State. Sir, how much longer will you remain appallingly silent on the plight of persecuted Christians caught in this wake of unimaginable horror? Your refusal to acknowledge and specifically name Christians, along with Yazidis and other religious communities in a designation of genocide would be one of the most disgraceful chapters in your administration’s shameful and abhorrent response to the Islamic State. In the Name of God, humanity, and Christmas, Mr. President, please do not continue to stand by and let this evil relentlessly proceed."