Daniel Levy on BBC World News: “These kinds of lies can’t be allowed to pass.”
JVL Introduction
In a brilliant, measured, compassionate and angry rejoinder, former Israeli peace negotiator Daniel Levy confronts a BBC news presenter, challenging the portrayal of Israeli actions in Gaza as a legitimate response and emphasising the need to challenge such narratives.
First broadcast 11th October.
RK
BBC presenter: ““The Israelis would say… we are defending ourselves”
Daniel Levy: “Do you really keep a straight face when you say that”
Very telling when an ex-Top Adviser to Israel's Prime Minister is way more sympathetic to Palestinians than a BBC presenter:
Presenter "The Israelis would say.. we're defending ourselves"
Daniel Levy: "Do you really keep a straight face when you say that? …these kind of lies" pic.twitter.com/Fuzl2wwfbm
— Muhammad Shehada (@muhammadshehad2) October 11, 2023
(The transcript below is taken from the India News website.)
Daniel Levy, former Israeli peace negotiator in peace talks with the Palestinians, on Wednesday confronted a BBC news presenter over the latter’s outline of the Israeli response in Gaza.
The heated exchange took place during news coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.
In a video of the interview, now being widely shared on the internet, a BBC presenter was heard saying, “The Israelis would say, well look, we are defending ourselves, we are targeting Hamas targets in Gaza. We are trying to put an end to what we believe is a terrorist organisation once and for all.”
In response, Levy was heard asking the news presenter, “Do you really keep a straight face when you say that? These kinds of lies can’t be allowed to pass.”
“Do you think terrorist organisations embedded in populations who are denied their most basic rights are ended once and for all in a military campaign? Does that happen in history? Can someone credibly tell me that when the leadership of a country says we are cutting off food, electricity, water, all supplies to an entire civilian population that they’re targeting militants?” Levy asked.
“I’m sorry, these kinds of lies can’t be allowed to pass. And when you tell yourself the lie, it leads to the wrong policy,” he said.
“If anyone told me that what the militants did on the weekend was a legitimate response to years and years of occupation. I would say no, you’re wrong-headed. You’ve lost sight of humanity and reality,” Levy added.
“And if anyone tells me that what Israel is doing in Gaza today is a legitimate response to what happened on the weekend, it’s exactly the same,” the former Israeli peace negotiator said.
“And yet they are saying it, and yet the international community is, and people need to challenge them on it because it’s a lie and we’re war-mongering if we allow them to get away with it,” Levy said.
The full interview, on BBC World News 11th October, is here:
She’s not going to allow herself to be called anti-Semitic, and if that means hundreds of thousands must suffer, so be it
I’m so pleased there is someone thinking with a clear head!
Has anyone seen Daniel Levy on any news programmes, since this interview?
The point he made towards the end, about Ireland, was a good one. Will there be anyone willing to listen?
Israelis should be terrified: their Govt is taking them and us to Hell!!!As for “my” Govt, I disown it although I could never “own” it as it is unelected!