As we told you yesterday, CNN’s Marc Lamont Hill is under fire after he used the anti-Semitic terror slogan, “free Palestine from the river to the sea” at a UN speech:
I’ve never been naive about anti-Semitism in America, but honestly never thought I’d see a mainstream CNN guy and professor, on camera, shout “free Palestine from the river to the sea” at the UN, to thunderous applause, and see a collective shrug from even non-socialist liberals.
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) November 29, 2018
Seriously what the hell is wrong with you guys? This isn’t a dog whistle, this is basically “the Jews will not replace us!” I get that it sucks to see ppl on your side of the aisle turn out to be despicable anti-Semites, but get the hell out of your chair you complacent cowards.
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) November 29, 2018
Hill has since taken to Twitter to defend his comments, saying we’re misinterpreting the meaning of “from the river to the sea.” You see, what he REALLY means is that “all areas of historic Palestine —e.g., West Bank, Gaza, Israel— must be spaces of freedom, safety, and peace for Palestinians”:
Yesterday, I gave a speech at the UN in which I critiqued Israel’s polices and practices toward Palestinians. It’s baffling how people are not responding to the critique, but instead responding to things I didn’t actually say.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
In my speech, I talked about the need to return to the pre-1967 borders, to give full rights to Palestinian citizens of Israel, and to allow right of return. No part of this is a call to destroy Israel. It’s absurd on its face.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
I believe in full rights for all citizens. I believe in safety for all citizens. I believe in self-determination for all citizens. This is not an anti-Semitic position.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
While I have my own beliefs about one vs two state solutions (I prefer one), it is not my job as an outsider to decide for Palestinians or Israelis. Regardless of the resolution, however, Palestinians cannot be denied freedom, self-determination, or human rights.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
Unfortunately, we are in a moment where any critique of the Israeli government is called anti-Semitic. Any call for Palestinian freedom is seen as an attempt to diminish Israel freedom. This does not have to be, nor should it be, the case.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
I concluded my remarks with a call to free Palestine from river to sea. This means that all areas of historic Palestine —e.g., West Bank, Gaza, Israel— must be spaces of freedom, safety, and peace for Palestinians.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
Anyone who studies the region, or the history of Palestinian nationalism, knows that “river to sea” has been, and continues to be, a phrase used by many factions, ideologies, movements, and politicians.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
Nice try though, but nah:
Let's be clear: "from the river to the sea" is an open call for Israel's destruction, echoing the most extreme, violent, and hateful elements in the Arab-Israeli conflict. @marclamonthill's comments are unworthy of a leading news network like @CNN. pic.twitter.com/8KnxxIE4oi
— AJC (@AJCGlobal) November 29, 2018
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Related:
Wow: This video of Marc Lamont Hill calling for ‘a free Palestine from the river to the sea’ does not look good https://t.co/1llDNZE2Ns
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 29, 2018
'Despicable'! So, is CNN cool with commentator Marc Lamont Hill spewing this anti-Israel B.S.? https://t.co/RIY9f3mT3k
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 28, 2018
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