HBO’s “Real Time,” host Bill Maher spoke with former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, snarking about rapper Kanye West’s perceived antisemitic comments, while jokingly asking if Israel would retaliate.
“Kanye West this week has said, ‘I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up, I’m going death con 3 on Jewish people. Will Israel retaliate?” Maher asked Netanyahu who smiled and hesitated before he answered.
“You know, antisemitism is the longest hatred in history. It goes back thousands of years. We’ve dealt with bigger problems than these stupidities. But you know, the communists blame the Jews for being capitalists. The capitalists blame the Jews for being communists. You have a problem? Blame the Jews. It’s old stuff,” Netanyahu responded.
“It shouldn’t have any place in civilized discourse, and that’s the reason we established the Jewish state. So the Jewish people would have a defense against these absurdities, and sometimes they’re coupled with violence. We don’t let that happen again,” he told Bill Maher.
(Video Credit: Real Time with Bill Maher)
Kanye West announces plans to go “death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE” once he’s able to get some rest. pic.twitter.com/SifWM7zcRd
— The Bias (@thebias_news) October 9, 2022
Maher noted that West’s comments weren’t that different from certain leaders in Congress, apparently referring to statements from Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rep. Rashid Tlaib (D-MI).
“I just want to read a few quotes from American congressmen, just to — congresspeople, rather, just to show that Kanye West’s comment is not really out of order with some things that are said by people in more official positions. Here’s one, ‘Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel.’ Ten years ago, if you read that to me, I’d have thought that would be from Hezbollah. That’s an American congressperson. Another American congressperson says, ‘The reality of Israel’s apartheid government’ [and] goes on to say, ‘the occupation and ethnic cleansing Palestinians [must] live with every day.’ Another one says Israel targets media sources ‘so the world can’t see Palestinians being massacred,’” Maher recounted.
Ilhan Omar
2012: Tweets, "Israel has hypnotized the world – may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel."
2016: Doubles down on her tweet
2017: Cover of Time Magazine
2019: Award-winning Documentary
Progressive antisemitism widely celebrated. pic.twitter.com/H9MJbXyRSA
— Dumisani Washington (@DumisaniTemsgen) September 4, 2022
The reality of Israel’s apartheid government, supported by billions in unconditional American funding, cannot be denied. We will not allow the President’s visit to whitewash the brutality of the occupation and ethnic cleansing Palestinians must live with every day. https://t.co/gYUeOOgSBY
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) July 15, 2022
The HBO host then asked Netanyahu, “Are you massacring Palestinians? Are you ethnic cleansing? And are you an apartheid state?”
“No, no, and no. Ridiculous charges against the one democracy in the Middle East. The one democracy that upholds human rights, defends freedom, and is America’s best ally,” Netanyahu responded. “So I think these people should wake up to reality. But I think that a far too great of hope. It’s not going to happen. We just have to defend ourselves against these people because they purvey lies. You ever hear the word fake news? This is fake old news that goes back thousands of years. We’re not impressed by it.”
The former Israeli prime minister went on to state, “The main problem with Israel and the Palestinians are not the settlements, it’s the persistent Palestinian refusal to recognize the Jewish state in any boundary.”
He also argued that “the Palestinians don’t want peace.”
It’s interesting that Maher brings up quotes from those such as Tlaib and Omar. The left was apparently fine with antisemitism until Kanye West made some poorly worded comments that they have branded as such.
Remarks such as these should be called out immediately regardless of who utters them, not just for political expediency.
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