On October 12, at the India Today news channel’s primetime show, ‘News Today’, anchored by well-known journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, UK-based Palestinian academician Makram Khoury-Machool described Hamas’ operational methods as a “military struggle” that was resorted to after “the world failed Palestinians” in the face of years of “Israeli atrocities”. Sardesai protested instantly. “Let us not justify terrorism. This is terrorism, sir!” he said, regarding Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. He then asked the question that has been thrown at every Palestinian representative appearing on mainstream TV news channels, especially those headquartered in the US and Europe. “Will you and others condemn the Hamas terror attack on Israel? Innocent civilians were killed in a barbaric fashion. Do you agree that the first step towards any kind of reconciliation is clear and outright condemnation of what is seen as terrorism of the worst kind?”
Sardesai has never used words like ‘‘terror’’, ‘‘crime’’, or ‘‘barbaric’’ about Israel’s role in Palestine in his shows. Even though he did mention “a lot of concerns about the nature of the Israeli offensive and what it means for civilians caught in the crossfire,” he never asked Israeli authorities to “condemn” Israel’s indiscriminate and relentless bombardment.
Denne historien er fra December 21, 2023-utgaven av Outlook.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 21, 2023-utgaven av Outlook.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The 'Invisible' Dalits
The debate over sub-categorisation of castes is likely to shape the political discourse in the upcoming state elections
Caste Census: To Conquer Or Conserve?
The caste census is generating heated debate, but even its most ardent proponents are not able to articulate a plan about how to use the resulting data
THE FATEFUL COMEDY
Actor-director Rajat Kapoor talks about adapting Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov into a Hindi play
Mad Hatter
When a leader takes off his topi and holds it in his hands while appealing for votes, it signals something extraordinary
Circle Within Circles
The caste question in Muslims.
Backward March
The Maratha reservation question may continue to mire the next government in the state
The 69% Exception
Quota within quota: lessons to be learned from Tamil Nadu
United Indifference
The perils of tweaking tribal identities
Two Nations, Two Destinies
The widely differing balance of power between the military and civilian leadership in India and Pakistan has significantly impacted democracy in the two countries
Crème de la Crème
The mainstream society thinks reservations are against right to equality. It’s high time they are seen in the context of right to justice.
