In all fairness, I think the general is trying to protect his men and tamp down violence, not escalate it. I think he wants to be seen in the arena over THERE in a good light for the sake of his men and the stratgey he’s put forth in past years there. That said, my preference would be that he not comment at all or make a generaic comment disapproving of any demonstration of hatred, be it toward Christians, Jews or Muslims. My problem is the lack of comment when Christians and Jews are the target.
His job is to protect his troops. He is there on the ground with them. He is doing his job. And how is giving his opinion stopping him from doing his job?