Berl Falbaum
I saw a TV interview on the Hamas-Israeli war that was so unusual I am turning it into a quiz: See if you can identify the respondent not by name, religion, politics, or other demographics but by occupation.
I summarized and paraphrased the answers to the questions. Also, it happened some time ago but given the continued media onslaught on Israel, I thought it was worth addressing. It has been on my “to-write” list for a while.
Q. Doesn’t Israel’s massive response ensure more radicalization of Palestinians?
A. If you follow that logic, Israel should just wait for the next attack. Hamas already has said, it would continue its assaults until the world is rid of Jews. It is unsustainable for Israel to live next to a neighbor which seeks its destruction. The head of Hamas has stated, “We will do this again and again and again…”
From the “river to the sea” means the destruction of Israel. And I believe that many carrying placards with that slogan can’t name the river or the sea nor find them on a map.
The question also supposes that there is a peaceful faction in Gaza that supports a two-state solution. Does the celebration of the grotesque massacre indicate that Gaza is replete with “peacenik” types?
Q. But not all the people protesting against Israel support the destruction of Israel.
A. Then why are they participating in the protests? (Then he asks the interviewer): If you joined a protest that calls for the killing of black people, wouldn’t you drop out and then not return for a second one?
Q. But there are 2 million people in Gaza.
A. Yes, but did you hear any of them yell, “stop”?
Q. Aren’t you endorsing a form of collective punishment?
A. There is some responsibility on the part of Gazans for what is happening. When Germans elected Hitler, they were partly responsibility for what happened. Similarly, Gazans bear some responsibility for electing Hamas as their governing body in 2006.
Q. Half of the population in Gaza are children.
A. It is Hamas which has embedded itself among civilians, building tunnels and bunkers under hospitals and schools. Who is responsible for that, the Israelis or Hamas?
As to the massacre October 7, which was the worst violence suffered by Jews since the Holocaust, let me make the following point:
There is a difference between Hamas and the Nazis. Even the Nazis were ashamed at what they had done and tried to cover up their actions. Hamas and its supporters celebrated the massacre with unbridled glee.
They were deeply proud. One terrorist who beheaded an Israeli with a shovel, called his parents, bragging he had killed several Israelis and asked his father to put his mother on the phone.
Q. Prime Minister Netanyahu has suggested that Israel may well again occupy Gaza. Do you think that is fair?
A. Let me point out that Jordan could take in the Palestinians but they want no part of them. Similarly, the Egyptians could help by accepting refugees.
They don’t want them either. Egypt could end this tomorrow by taking control of Gaza, but it has turned its back on the problem.
Everyone wants the Israelis to solve the problem. Gaza could have become a thriving place after Israel left it voluntarily in 2005. But Hamas did not want that. Hamas has held Gazans hostage for 18 years. The fault for the suffering of the Palestinian people lies with Hamas, which does not want a settlement of this war.
That is a summary of the interview which runs about as counter to media conventional wisdom as you can get. In terms of news, the interview took place some time ago, but the individual has continued his support in debates with Hamas defenders and others in the anti-Israel contingent.
So, who is the respondent? It is not an Israeli. It is not a Republican or Democrat in the U.S. who supports the Jewish state. It is not a politician. It is not an Israeli PR official.
It is a reporter -- yes, a reporter -- standing at the Gaza-Israel border wearing a bullet proof vest with the word “press” imprinted on it.
So, who is he?
The writer is Douglas K. Murray, a well-known British author and political commentator and associate editor of the conservative-leaning British political and cultural magazine, The Spectator.
He was interviewed by Piers Morgan, an English broadcaster, journalist, writer and television personality.
Murray is the author of several books and has written widely for many publications in the U.K. and the U.S. At 19, he published his first book while attending Oxford University.
So, he is obviously smart. But a couple of other attributes stand out. Unlike many of his colleagues, he knows the history of the Middle East, having covered it since 2006.
Most commendable, he is not afraid to separate from the pack, the herd. He is not part of the shameful echo chamber. That alone is refreshing, particularly given that he is extremely articulate. My paraphrasing does not do justice to his eloquence.
While I seldom read comments on articles on the internet, I did review reactions to his views. I was amazed at the accolades Murray received, some recommending he run for prime minister, and many stating it was the best interview they heard on the crisis.
Reporters covering the war should be required to watch the interview and listen to discussions Murray has participated in and so should Israel’s critics.
—————
Berl Falbaum is a long-time political journalist and author of several books.
I summarized and paraphrased the answers to the questions. Also, it happened some time ago but given the continued media onslaught on Israel, I thought it was worth addressing. It has been on my “to-write” list for a while.
Q. Doesn’t Israel’s massive response ensure more radicalization of Palestinians?
A. If you follow that logic, Israel should just wait for the next attack. Hamas already has said, it would continue its assaults until the world is rid of Jews. It is unsustainable for Israel to live next to a neighbor which seeks its destruction. The head of Hamas has stated, “We will do this again and again and again…”
From the “river to the sea” means the destruction of Israel. And I believe that many carrying placards with that slogan can’t name the river or the sea nor find them on a map.
The question also supposes that there is a peaceful faction in Gaza that supports a two-state solution. Does the celebration of the grotesque massacre indicate that Gaza is replete with “peacenik” types?
Q. But not all the people protesting against Israel support the destruction of Israel.
A. Then why are they participating in the protests? (Then he asks the interviewer): If you joined a protest that calls for the killing of black people, wouldn’t you drop out and then not return for a second one?
Q. But there are 2 million people in Gaza.
A. Yes, but did you hear any of them yell, “stop”?
Q. Aren’t you endorsing a form of collective punishment?
A. There is some responsibility on the part of Gazans for what is happening. When Germans elected Hitler, they were partly responsibility for what happened. Similarly, Gazans bear some responsibility for electing Hamas as their governing body in 2006.
Q. Half of the population in Gaza are children.
A. It is Hamas which has embedded itself among civilians, building tunnels and bunkers under hospitals and schools. Who is responsible for that, the Israelis or Hamas?
As to the massacre October 7, which was the worst violence suffered by Jews since the Holocaust, let me make the following point:
There is a difference between Hamas and the Nazis. Even the Nazis were ashamed at what they had done and tried to cover up their actions. Hamas and its supporters celebrated the massacre with unbridled glee.
They were deeply proud. One terrorist who beheaded an Israeli with a shovel, called his parents, bragging he had killed several Israelis and asked his father to put his mother on the phone.
Q. Prime Minister Netanyahu has suggested that Israel may well again occupy Gaza. Do you think that is fair?
A. Let me point out that Jordan could take in the Palestinians but they want no part of them. Similarly, the Egyptians could help by accepting refugees.
They don’t want them either. Egypt could end this tomorrow by taking control of Gaza, but it has turned its back on the problem.
Everyone wants the Israelis to solve the problem. Gaza could have become a thriving place after Israel left it voluntarily in 2005. But Hamas did not want that. Hamas has held Gazans hostage for 18 years. The fault for the suffering of the Palestinian people lies with Hamas, which does not want a settlement of this war.
That is a summary of the interview which runs about as counter to media conventional wisdom as you can get. In terms of news, the interview took place some time ago, but the individual has continued his support in debates with Hamas defenders and others in the anti-Israel contingent.
So, who is the respondent? It is not an Israeli. It is not a Republican or Democrat in the U.S. who supports the Jewish state. It is not a politician. It is not an Israeli PR official.
It is a reporter -- yes, a reporter -- standing at the Gaza-Israel border wearing a bullet proof vest with the word “press” imprinted on it.
So, who is he?
The writer is Douglas K. Murray, a well-known British author and political commentator and associate editor of the conservative-leaning British political and cultural magazine, The Spectator.
He was interviewed by Piers Morgan, an English broadcaster, journalist, writer and television personality.
Murray is the author of several books and has written widely for many publications in the U.K. and the U.S. At 19, he published his first book while attending Oxford University.
So, he is obviously smart. But a couple of other attributes stand out. Unlike many of his colleagues, he knows the history of the Middle East, having covered it since 2006.
Most commendable, he is not afraid to separate from the pack, the herd. He is not part of the shameful echo chamber. That alone is refreshing, particularly given that he is extremely articulate. My paraphrasing does not do justice to his eloquence.
While I seldom read comments on articles on the internet, I did review reactions to his views. I was amazed at the accolades Murray received, some recommending he run for prime minister, and many stating it was the best interview they heard on the crisis.
Reporters covering the war should be required to watch the interview and listen to discussions Murray has participated in and so should Israel’s critics.
—————
Berl Falbaum is a long-time political journalist and author of several books.
