Before reading this article I ask that you first read this section in order for you to cast aside indoctrination that you have been inculcated with over the last 75 or more years: "Why isn’t the humanity of someone who is Israeli-born conditioned on his/her condemnation, not of one attack, but of a series of war crimes from the day Israel was born atop an existing and thriving Palestinian nation? I ask you, since Israel killed Palestinians at the rate of at least one a day last year alone, did you condemn those murders daily? If you condemned those murders, I would deem you morally qualified to demand that litmus test from me. If, on the other hand, you failed to condemn every one of those murders, then I regard you as morally failing and utterly unqualified to pose questions as the morally superior human on this show." As`ad AbuKhalil professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus
By As`ad AbuKhalil
Special to Consortium News
It has become customary for Arabs invited on Western TV news programs to be asked, off the bat, to condemn this or that act that Israel classifies as terrorism.
When I came to the U.S. in 1983, this was already standard practice. But back then, the Palestinian “terrorists” were secular: so the media propaganda talked about the dangerous communist connections of the Palestinian Liberation Organization.
Islamists were then treated with tenderness and even admiration. They were on the side of the U.S. in the Cold War and the U.S. and Saudi Arabia recruited from among them for the war in Afghanistan.
In the 1980s, the “terrorist” menace was coming from Lebanon. When I appeared on the major networks (shortly after my arrival in Washington, D.C.), I was constantly asked to condemn this or that attack in Lebanon or in Palestine.
At first, I obliged but then started thinking about the implications of such a ritual. You don’t get a seat (token at best) at the table unless you condemn, and according to Israeli definitions of terrorism and morality.
In the 1980s, Arabs were also asked if they recognized the state of Israel. What does that mean? Let us say that you are a Palestinian born in Haifa or Jaffa. If you were to recognize the state of Israel you are basically recognizing the legitimacy of the land grab of your home and the forced expulsion of your parents and grandparents from Palestine.
If an Arab were to recognize the state of Israel, he or she would be accepting the fundamental racist inequality upon which the state of Israel was founded.
And what if you are a secular person who does not accept a Muslim state or a Jewish state or a Christian state? In the West, you can be opposed (nay you are expected to be opposed) to the Islamic regime in Iran from a secular point of view, but you are considered anti-Semitic if you were to object to the religious identity of the state of Israel.
Even “excessive” criticisms of Israel earn you the label of anti-Semitism (if you follow the State Department’s definition).
Meanwhile, “excessive” criticism of Iran or Saudi Arabia are not considered tantamount to Islamophobia. Clearly, special standards are applied to Israel to shield it from criticism and classification while special standards are applied on the Palestinian people to prevent them from opposing Israel, militarily or even peacefully (the BDS movement is now illegal, or severely discouraged, by more than 35 states in the U.S.).
For the West, the Palestinians have to enjoy Israeli occupation in order to prove their membership in the human race.
[Related: Misdirecting the Fight Against Anti-Semitism]
I have watched Arab guests in recent weeks appearing on Western TV news shows and they were invariably asked that same question. Do you condemn Hamas? Do you condemn the attack? Do you believe that Hamas should be eliminated, yes or no?
(And it would be hard to explain to these TV hosts that this movement — like it or hate it — has captured the support of at least half of the Palestinian people.) I have imagined myself in that chair and imagined my responses to those asinine questions.
Turning the Tables
I would answer as follows: In what capacity are you asking me that question? How did you, the journalist, become my judge or my priest? And why are you treating me like an accused in a court of law and not as a guest in a TV studio?
Also what made you feel morally superior to me to determine the manner in which I can prove my worthiness as a human being? Why is my citizenship conditional to the correct answer to the question, merely due to my ethnic background as an Arab?
Why isn’t the humanity of someone who is Israeli-born conditioned on his/her condemnation, not of one attack, but of a series of war crimes from the day Israel was born atop an existing and thriving Palestinian nation?
Palestinian refugees during the Nakba, or mass expulsion from their land by Israel, in 1948. (hanini.org, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)
In fact, I need to turn the tables on you. I ask you, since Israel killed Palestinians at the rate of at least one a day last year alone, did you condemn those murders daily? If you condemned those murders, I would deem you morally qualified to demand that litmus test from me. If, on the other hand, you failed to condemn every one of those murders, then I regard you as morally failing and utterly unqualified to pose questions as the morally superior human on this show.
I in fact, am more qualified to pose that question to you. I am the judge, not you. I am a victim of Israeli war crimes who grew up subjected to weekly Israeli bombardment in Lebanon (against Palestinians and Lebanese, civilians and combatants alike, with little regard for the distinctions as Israeli bombing was fairly indiscriminate).
I should be coming to the U.S. to hold you to account for your official military and financial sponsorship or Israeli war crimes against me. I, a human who barely survived the Israeli invasion of 1982 and the subsequent savage siege of Beirut, refuse to be asked to condemn anything from anyone, especially someone in the West working for a media that specializes in condoning Israeli war crimes.
Holding the West Accountable
You in the West are the ones who should be held accountable and forced to offer rituals of condemnations as Israeli war crimes have continued unabated, with full Western blessings, since the founding of the state.
[Related: Craig Murray: Condemnation]
In fact, Israeli mass violence against Arabs began as early as the 1890s, by the account of the leader of Cultural Zionism, Ahad Ha’am, who scolded the Zionist settlers in Palestine for mistreating and abusing Arabs and thinking of them like animals.
I need to ask you all in Western media about your criminal responsibility for covering the Middle East region with ignorance and racism and for disregarding and distorting Arab views and for ignoring Arab suffering. That Western media and governments don’t value human lives equally between Arabs and Israelis is not something that has to be proven. It is too obvious to need documentation.
You invite us Arabs on your shows and start bombarding us on behalf of the state of Israel as soon as we are seated.
Your objectivity is something that we mock. Objectivity is a trick that you apply to the media of developing countries to force them to adhere to your political standards; it also allows Western powers to impose a hegemony of ideas especially in times of war and occupation (their wars and occupations).
As far as condemnation is concerned, I condemn you all for your racism, unprofessional standards of journalism and your production of propaganda in the name of modern Western media.
Much of Western media these days carry long articles all based on unverified claims by Israeli military sources; this is not different from how they covered Ukraine, all based on Ukrainian and Western military sources. They often insert a disclaimer that the information contained has not been verified.
But don’t those Western countries teach in their journalism schools that unverified information can’t be published? Arab military or political unverified claims are never published unless they are run by the Israeli and NATO militaries for verification or refutation.
What the World Is Seeing
The one thing that will come out of this is that people of color around the world can see for themselves the extent to which race and ethnicity play a big part in shaping the foreign policies of Western countries. The different price tags placed on human lives has never been more strikingly clear.
Arabs and Muslims have seen that not only don’t their lives matter to Westerners but that their status in Western countries is lower and will only get lower with the rise of far-right parties and with the adoption of a far-right immigration agenda by mainstream center and left parties in Europe.
The West has not had the opportunity to assess the effects of the Gaza slaughter on its relationship with the East or with Africa and Asia and South America.
The West is acting as a monolithic bloc of white Christian nations bent on imposing their will on the southern half of the globe. And when China comes to nations of the South for help without extracting demeaning political concessions, the West has the temerity to warn those countries of ulterior motives.
The Arab and Muslim worlds are increasingly radicalized, and the West by its reaction to Israeli assaults on Gaza, has made Hamas more popular than ever. Even those who used to criticize Hamas find it now difficult to do so. Jordanian journalist, Bassam Baddarin, observed that Abu `Ubayda (the spokesman of the military wing of Hamas) could be elected in any Arab country.
That is your doing.
As`ad AbuKhalil is a Lebanese-American professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. He is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Lebanon (1998), Bin Laden, Islam and America’s New War on Terrorism (2002), The Battle for Saudi Arabia (2004) and ran the popular The Angry Arab blog. He tweets as @asadabukhalil
The views expressed are solely those of the author and may or may not reflect those of Consortium News.
Well articulated, rational, and reasonable
"Well articulated, rational, and reasonable" but still saying that "I've not only been supporting apartheid, crimes against humanity & international law for more than 20 years but using my articulate, rational, seemingly reasonable argument from my superior intellect to further propagate the propaganda that Israel & its colonialist settlers are doing nothing wrong in creating the Gaza concentration camp."
So would you object to say Jerusalem being nuclear bombed because it holds the israeli Parliament, IDF offices etc. that have redulted in the destruction of buildings & hospitals in Gaza supposedly sheltering Hamas members?
Irrespective of whether such Hamas members participated in the planning & execution of the Oct 7 action?
No nukes, boots on the ground, extract the hostages / innocent people.
What would you recommend?
If we are to condemn anyone or anything, it should simply be religion, which is at the root of every Middle Eastern war.
It is an impossible job for leaders to find a peaceful outcome for tribal and religious differences that are thousands of years old.
I think it is foolish to take sides in a religious (based) war.
An absolute truth. I don't how and when the tight grip of Jewish donors to politicians and educational and other institutions will ever loosen, let alone go away. Any time you try to objectively comment, not even criticize Israel's apartheid treatment of Palestinians, people begin to yell... anti-semitism. It is clear, the U.S. is largely controlled by Israel supporting people, groups, institutions - followed only by religion.
The UN secretary general just asked a question about what precipitated the Hamas attack and immediately Israel and groups began asking for his resignation. This morning I heard on the radio that Israel said International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) does not have the right to exist if they don't first visit Jewish hostages in Gaza, even before attending to dying children and women under Israeli bomb attacks.
I have been watching very objectively and have never taken anyone's side because I don't have sympathy for people attacking and dying under religion. But the more I watch, the more it becomes clear that the United States has given tons of money, support and free hand to Israel to be the apartheid nation that it is today.
What an irony that the Jewish community that suffered under the Nazi of atrocious treatment during WWI is handing out the same treatment to the original residents of Israel - Palestinians. And it is not just men fighting men. It is men killing women and children just like the Nazi did.
Civilian deaths in Gaza will continue as long as Hamas chooses to use them as shields and build operations head quarters under hospitals and apartments.
And you have proof to support your statement?
@FrayedBear Try reading today's newspapers. It seem IDF is attacking the very hospital where cowardly Hamas HQ is situated..... Underneath the hospital just as one would think a cowardly group would act.
@Alienbeing Every person defending themself & their family against tyranny is described by the tyrant as a coward. Only the stupid continue to regurgitate such excuses for their inhumane behaviours.
Where I live the same nonsense spewing forth from you & the Israeli propogandists has been used the last 220+ years to justify & continue the genocide killing the Australian FNP. . . . FFS Grow up @Alienbeing you're 72 years old & squealing like a 2 year old.
@FrayedBear Your bullshit is again noted. Everyone except apologists know Hamas has ALWAYS used humans as shields, and continues to do so.
Last, I'm told the only person Austrailians want removed is YOU.
@Alienbeing lol. You really do need to get new accurate sources of information. I was recently informed that the Prime Minister may even be soon charged with sexual assault along with 6 other MPs also currently under investigation. Do you really think that in comparison my outing you as a a stupid American is going to upset the Australian citizenry? Lol they're more likely to give me an honorary degree or even a statue in the main street!
Are you aware that anti israel riots were reported on the streets last night on one TV channel. Other reports not just in Australia but around the world are of 10s of 1000s protesting the IDF war crimes & genocide undertaken on their government's orders.
As usual you've had your tongue up someone's rectum and are consequently spewing out shit.
[abc.net.au]
[abc.net.au]
[msn.com]
[theguardian.com]
@FrayedBear Of course you omit that most of what you just referred to has been corrected by that source.
I doubt you'll read this, however it is from today's Google News.
"Israeli Defense Forces release video showing evidence of Hamas weapons, tunnels linking to hospital basements
Greg Wehner
Mon, November 13, 2023, 4:25 PM EST·3 min read
768
Scroll back up to restore default view.
Video footage released by Israel Defense Forces shows the inside of a tunnel system used by Hamas terrorists, connecting to a hospital where the militants based operations.
In the video, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stands in front of the house of a senior terrorist who led the raids into Israel, which is next to a school and about 200 yards from a hospital.
Hagari then shows an operational tunnel with electrical wires going down about 20 meters into the tunnel, which leads to a bulletproof and explosive-proof door.
GAZA HOSPITAL COVERAGE PROVES MEDIA NEEDS TO BE SKEPTICAL OF SOURCES, EXPERT SAYS: ‘ALL THE FACTS WERE WRONG’
Motorcycle with bullet hole found in tunnel leading to basement of Rantisi Hospital in Gaza.
The IDF spokesman intended to show "clear evidence" that the tunnels were connected to the Rantisi hospital that Hamas used as a base.
He then leads the camera crew into the tunnel and to the hospital, where evidence is found that a Hamas operation was conducted.
READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP
"We are now in the area of the basement of the hospital. I want to show you a room where we found all the gear, the operational gear of Hamas," Hagari said. "Look at what Hamas is holding inside the hospital. I want you to understand, this kind of gear is gear for a major fight."
MEDIA HAS EGG ON ITS FACE FOR ALLOWING HAMAS TO SET INITIAL TONE OF GAZA HOSPITAL COVERAGE WITHOUT SKEPTICISM
The gear Hagari was referring to included hand grenades, vests packed with explosives, and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs).
"This is Hamas firing RPGs from hospitals," he said, explaining these are the type of people Israel is fighting against.
The next shot showed a motorcycle in the basement.
MEDIA RUNNING HAMAS NARRATIVE ON GAZA HOSPITAL 'DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED' TO ENDANGERING US EMBASSIES ABROAD
A chair found with rope and women's clothing at the leg, found in tunnel leading to basement of Rantisi Hospital in Gaza.
Motorcycles were used in the Oct. 7 invasion of Israel by Hamas terrorists who conducted the massacre and slaughter of innocent civilians.
The motorcycle Hagari pointed to had a bullet hole, and he suggested it was used in the Oct. 7 invasion, though it was still being researched.
A short distance from the motorcycle was a chair with women’s clothing and a rope next to the legs of the chair.
Above the chair was a baby bottle on a metal box with a World Health Organization sign.
NEW YORK TIMES ADMITS IT RELIED 'TOO HEAVILY' ON HAMAS CLAIMS IN INITIAL REPORT ON GAZA HOSPITAL EXPLOSION
A baby bottle found on top of a box with the World Health Organization logo in tunnel leading to basement of Rantisi Hospital in Gaza.
IDF officials suspect the space was used to hold hostages.
Hagari showed diapers in the basement area, as well as an improvised ventilation system, toilets, a shower, a small kitchen and a hideout for hostages with curtains covering up a wall made of cinder blocks.
"There’s no reason to put up a curtain unless you want to film hostages and deliver movies," he said before walking over to more evidence that included a list in Arabic that he said was for the operation against Israel. "This is a guardian list where every terrorist writes his name and every terrorist has his own shift, guarding the people that were here."
The video comes just weeks after another IDF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, blasted mainstream media outlets for running with Hamas’ claim that Israel was responsible for an explosion that rocked the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City.
Israel had been accused of shooting missiles at the hospital, though it was ultimately determined that Hamas fired missiles from Gaza, and one went rogue before striking near the hospital, discrediting claims there was a direct hit on the facility.
Hamas has also been accused of using civilians as shields, as they hide among the population and wear civilian clothing during their attacks.
"This is an organization that will butcher babies in their bedrooms, they’ll have no problem lying to you," Lerner said at the time."
Now ask your nurse for your meds.
@Alienbeing "Motorcycles were used in the Oct. 7 invasion of Israel by Hamas terrorists who conducted the massacre and slaughter of innocent civilians. The motorcycle Hagari pointed to had a bullet hole, and he suggested it was used in the Oct. 7 invasion, though it was still being researched." Now where was that report showing US armaments being used to destroy Gazan civilian buildings.
And of course whilst we are talking of culpability there is this article that someone posted recently - absolutely nothing to do with Oct 7 but then is the motorcycle?
[makismd.substack.com]
@FrayedBear I expected you to better rationalize the Hamas terror attack. Your opinion on any matter is an ignorant view, at best.
@Alienbeing Quit trying to justify the inexcusable.
@FrayedBear There are two inexcusable actions as repects the situation. First, the barbaric murder that took place at the hands of Hamas on 10/7, and Second, the fact that Hamas uses its own civilain population as shields.
Obviously the amount of drugs you take precludes your ability to recognize reality.
@Alienbeing the truly barbaric actions are those of your government in having invaded many countries & murdered millions of people around the world whilst not being held to account for its actions. Your statements are simply the propaganda & gaslighting by the Israelis with the backing of your government.
Your suggestion that I consume drugs that prevents my ability to see reality is yet again you projecting your coke snorting habit onto me.
@FrayedBear Your poor attempt at a reply was boring.
We like what we did and your approval is unnecessary.
Does "Never again" only apply to Israeli Jews because that is what they think.
"We have the right to defend ourself" is a valid reason for violence, but so is "We have the right to resist occupation".
I say fuck all theist states, and Israel belongs to that club with it's current government. Become secular ffs. Like all other conflicts diplomacy is needed. Diplomacy does not just mean talking, it means getting rid of the clowns who caused the ongoing shit and replace them with diplomats instead, one that will serve Israeli interests long term. Sovereign nation so up to them, up to Israeli's to get rid of Netanyahu because no peace with him there. They won't gain allies bombing refugee camps (twice) either so peace seems a better option for Israeli people.
There are a lot of Jews that condemn what their country is doing and the same goes for Palestinians.
I would hope that 98% of the world population if they knew about would condemn them to eternal extermination the same as they have applied to the Gaza Palestinians & others crossing their paths.
It is not really a war when one side has a military and the other does not. And when that side targets refugee camps and brags about it then condemn is not strong enough anymore.
Israel needs to be isolated, boycotted, with Israeli passports becoming mud.
It's how you end apartheid, worked in Sth Africa.
@puff I thought that'd put a smile on your face.
@puff Also, the side with the military also has a lot of global sympathy for things that happened some 80 years ago. Yes, we need to remember but what we need to remember is about discrimination from one people to others. The pity card has been played to death and it should not be an excuse for one side to repeat the horrible injustices done to them by another country. More and more Israel has used oppression on others and claiming it was done to them so everyone should understand. We do not.