In an exclusive Town Hall with special guest Francesca Albanese, Mehdi Hasan spoke to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories about her new report on genocide in Gaza and allowed her to respond to accusations of antisemitism against her from the U.S. government. They also took questions from paid subscribers on the report and how it’s been received, the role of the West and regional actors in the ongoing catastrophe, attacks on her and the UN, and much more.
I can't quote Francesca's exact words in her reply to what gives her hope. I heard her to say that she is not particularly hopeful or optimistic but sees a responsibility to not be complicit in the wrongs unfolding. I am amazed and shocked by how many Americans seemed unaffected by what is unfolding in Israel and the enabling of atrocities by our government. What a horrible situation to have an insurrectionist former president in a position to be reelected and an incombent president supporting and abetting the enfolding genocide. In yesterday's news it was announced that the US sent billions more in military aid while the president and his administration continue to denounce the outcome of that aid. How can anyone look past this disconnect between words and deeds?
"I think that if, in the time of genocide, we are not ready to renounce a little bit of our comfort, a little bit of our privilege, so that another people doesn't have to renounce everything, what remains of our humanity? I don't have much hope, but I have a huge sense of responsibility in this respect."
Mehdi, regarding the decision by the California judge to dismiss the case that accused Biden of complicity in Gaza genocide hinged on jurisdictional issues. The judge was greatly impressed by the evidence presented. However, he cited the political question doctrine, that these questions must be resolved in the legislative and executive branches of government not by the judiciary. Foreign policy is under the political branches of government. It's important to note that the court recognized that the US is providing unconditional support to the "plausible" genocide. So, the court did not dismiss the merits of the case presented but it did dismiss the jurisdiction.
Yet Biden is in violation of federal laws and he should be sued in federal court for blatantly violating those laws and the constitution. This brings up the issue: what or which of the two parties actually honor, defend and protect the constitution????
He can't be sued by a citizen, but he could rightfully be impeached. I know that's not going to happen, but if the president is using the office to violate law—both federal and international in this case—then impeachment is the only recourse, if I'm not mistaken.
What an amazing woman. So knowledgeable, so well- spoken. I an in awe. The reaction to her report has been shocking. The prejudice is obvious, as are her conclusions: they are 100% indisputable.
Mr Mehdi , I have been admiring your work since the debates in England you held. Any society on downhill trajectory needs guys like you. God bless you and grant you strength and protect you from Fascistic tyranny ahead.
Thank you for organizing this very informative and eye popping interview with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories about her new report on genocide in Gaza. She seems to be a very knowledgeable on the subject. Anytime anyone criticizes the actions of the Israeli government they are labelled as anti-Semite. Conflating the person and the State is being used by the Jewish population to label all illegal Israeli actions as beyond reprimand is a problem in itself as on one hand Jews often use it to shield Israel and on the other if anyone uses it to criticize Israel they are labelled as anti-Semite. Pro-genocide people even criticize Senator Sanders. The definition of an anti-Semite is being kept rather broad and vague only to shield Israeli war crimes and Genocide of the Palestinians.
Any possibility of doing a program to define the term anti-Semite? Even the major universities in the US are shying away to define it.
Stay safe, keep up the independent and good work. Thank you for bringing a voice for the voiceless.
Human Angels like Francesca Albanese and Naledi Pandor make us hopeful that there is light at the end of the gruesome tunnel. American politicians have a way with words like 'rendition' for kidnapping and now 'non-binding' for the World got us and it hurts. As Francesca so beautifully said " the world is not functioning as it should" and the obvious malfunction is America (through AIPAC's greasy hand) being beholden to right-wing Israel and its antics. Genocide in Gaza is a given and the usual charge of antisemitism only underlined the obvious.
I think there was a question about Arab countries' contribution to UNRWA compared to US? Not sure I got her answer clearly- but, I often wonder if Arab and Moslem countries show enough, moral and material, support for the Palestinian people and cause, in a consistent, peaceful and effective manner. I do respect and admire our Jewish cousins' support of Israeli people and cause, no matter what their nationalities may be. As a born Moslem, I feel shame that we fail, miserably, when it comes to supporting our Moslem brothers and sisters during more peaceful times. Yes, we must speak up and show calm, peaceful and smart and strategic support, currently. Just we mustn't forget about the cause when things settle down. Maybe there should be more focus on how Moslem nations/people can improve working together to reach lasting peace and unity. In the longer term, I have learned, it is mankind's thoughts, intentions and desires that will win the bigger "war", the war against "hate" and "destruction" of man's soul. There is a reason we greet one another by saying "Salam" , or "Shalom". W utter the word "peace" so that we may never forget that we have work to do to bring peace to one another, each and every moment of our lives.
Thank you, Mehdi, for your work and starting this platform.
Egypt gets more than $2 billion from the US every year in military aid. How do they dare risk that aid by doing anything that would violate the treaty between them and Israel? Egypt's economy is in deep trouble; it's subsisting on "investments" made by private corporations and loans from the IMF, which it would risk losing as well. Egypt's inflation rate is at 37%.
Mehdi: we would welcome a text of your commentary, interviews, etc that can be read on a computer rather than only available on iphone. Reading an iphone, for me at 86, is quite uncomfortable except for short messages. I read quite a lot on my computer where I am comfortable, have control of the text and can go at my own speed. Podcasts are not my preferred means of getting the news or political commentary due to the small size and unpredictable sound quality. We are subscribers, value your message and viewpoint, and miss your TV show.
I agree with this comment, I would also appreciate reading from transcripts since I mostly prefer reading my newsletters here rather than watching or listening to them.
I hate podcasts. I'm a reader used to absorbing print material, and if I want to go back to something before I'm finished, it's easier to do so with print. So I totally agree with you. I would like transcripts as opposed to videos.
Although 18 years your junior, I sympathize with your difficulties. While there isn't a text option of podcasts (yet), you should be able to view via your computer or tablet if you have one. I too don't see how folks live via their phones. Little screen, little buttons. I actually messaged Zeteo early on to state that I hate Substack and would staff please give a briefing on how it works. But without it there would be no outlet for voices such as Medhi's to still reach us.
I hate smartphones and I can't believe there so many people addicted to them. I also can't believe how much they cost. I don't mind substack though. I think it's great because I can subscribe to only the writers I actually want to read instead of paying for an entire load of stuff that I'm not interested in.
yes, and I would find subtitles very helpful - the sound on the video was low, even at my highest volume, and I had some difficulty understanding that amazing woman. a real shame.
Hi Jackie - you can always turn closed captioning on for yourself in any meeting on Zoom. Look for the option in the toolbar at the bottom of your Zoom window. Hope that helps! 🙏🏼
It has been taking time to learn the new vocabulary of this issue, for instance jewish as compared to Israeli as compared to zionist, occupier, settler, Semitic etc. so many of these terms intermingle but as we learn we can begin to express truth more effectively. Terrorist when taken in actual context now reveals a frustration of overwhelmed resistance ignored too long and instead simply labeled and shelved without evaluation.
Of course these terms will be jumped on so possibly we need to standardize to not be inclusive of those who do not partake in these Atrocities. Maybe new terms need creation. Even place names or political names like Palestinian authority require abandonment to form new brighter meanings such as Palestinian Collaborators (PC). or United Palestine (UP). To raise this culture up to its potential.
Thank you, Mehdi Hasan and Francesca Albanese, for this interview. The ramifications of these events, of these decisions being made by Israel and the West, will echo for generations, will probably haunt the world for a long time. While I'm immensely grateful for your taking the time to do this, I also hope that in the future you will examine deeply why you had to: Why are Mehdi Hasan and Francesca Albanese not presenting this to the entirety of America on major network news? Why wasn't Albanese given a front-page 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 article on Tuesday when she released her findings? Why is genocide not the headline story every day everywhere?
• Technical website thing: The comments exist separately from the video, on a different page of the website. This means that when I clicked "19 more comments..." below the two visible comments, a new page opened with only the comments, and the video I was listening to was gone. Admittedly, I should be focused intently on the video alone and not be also reading comments, but I think that this separation of comments from video should be considered for change. After all, it means that if I'm reading a comment that refers to a specific part of the video that I want to see again, I can't just scroll up the page and replay that part—it's on a different page.
Quick question, Israel and the U.S. are allies so what all are we legally obliged to do when Israel is attacked-by anyone but in this case by Hamas? When can we stop providing either defensive or offensive weapons; or can we according to our treaty agreements? Personally, I wish we’d hang BiBi out to dry as what he has done to Palestinians over many years(and he’s not the only one)but I also realize doing that isn’t realistic in this political climate we are marinating in at this moment. We have done such before but to less influential leaders that we have had treaties with. I keep hearing that Biden has been working behind the scenes to get aid into Gaza and the West Bank but then I hear about our actions at the UN and see our public face at State which leaves too many unanswered questions.
We already give Israel more than $4 billion a year in cash and weapons, and they have one of the best-armed militaries in the world, so why are we still pouring billions of weapons into Israel? After all this time, I find it hard to believe that anyone in Hamas is still alive and has anything more than sticks and stones to fight with.
I can't quote Francesca's exact words in her reply to what gives her hope. I heard her to say that she is not particularly hopeful or optimistic but sees a responsibility to not be complicit in the wrongs unfolding. I am amazed and shocked by how many Americans seemed unaffected by what is unfolding in Israel and the enabling of atrocities by our government. What a horrible situation to have an insurrectionist former president in a position to be reelected and an incombent president supporting and abetting the enfolding genocide. In yesterday's news it was announced that the US sent billions more in military aid while the president and his administration continue to denounce the outcome of that aid. How can anyone look past this disconnect between words and deeds?
"I think that if, in the time of genocide, we are not ready to renounce a little bit of our comfort, a little bit of our privilege, so that another people doesn't have to renounce everything, what remains of our humanity? I don't have much hope, but I have a huge sense of responsibility in this respect."
I think the same.
I wouldn't call it a mere disconnect, but hypocrisy fueled by hubris.
Mehdi, regarding the decision by the California judge to dismiss the case that accused Biden of complicity in Gaza genocide hinged on jurisdictional issues. The judge was greatly impressed by the evidence presented. However, he cited the political question doctrine, that these questions must be resolved in the legislative and executive branches of government not by the judiciary. Foreign policy is under the political branches of government. It's important to note that the court recognized that the US is providing unconditional support to the "plausible" genocide. So, the court did not dismiss the merits of the case presented but it did dismiss the jurisdiction.
Yet Biden is in violation of federal laws and he should be sued in federal court for blatantly violating those laws and the constitution. This brings up the issue: what or which of the two parties actually honor, defend and protect the constitution????
He can't be sued by a citizen, but he could rightfully be impeached. I know that's not going to happen, but if the president is using the office to violate law—both federal and international in this case—then impeachment is the only recourse, if I'm not mistaken.
Well, certainly not the GOP.
And Biden personally has not violated any laws. And you can't sue him for official actions while he's in office, per Clinton v. Jones.
Very good point. Certainly someone must bring the case to federal court. It can't be soon enough.
What an amazing woman. So knowledgeable, so well- spoken. I an in awe. The reaction to her report has been shocking. The prejudice is obvious, as are her conclusions: they are 100% indisputable.
Mr Mehdi , I have been admiring your work since the debates in England you held. Any society on downhill trajectory needs guys like you. God bless you and grant you strength and protect you from Fascistic tyranny ahead.
What a beautiful, courageous, brilliant woman. Thanks, Medhi, great interview, and my most humble gratitude and respect for Ms Albanese.
Thank you for organizing this very informative and eye popping interview with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories about her new report on genocide in Gaza. She seems to be a very knowledgeable on the subject. Anytime anyone criticizes the actions of the Israeli government they are labelled as anti-Semite. Conflating the person and the State is being used by the Jewish population to label all illegal Israeli actions as beyond reprimand is a problem in itself as on one hand Jews often use it to shield Israel and on the other if anyone uses it to criticize Israel they are labelled as anti-Semite. Pro-genocide people even criticize Senator Sanders. The definition of an anti-Semite is being kept rather broad and vague only to shield Israeli war crimes and Genocide of the Palestinians.
Any possibility of doing a program to define the term anti-Semite? Even the major universities in the US are shying away to define it.
Stay safe, keep up the independent and good work. Thank you for bringing a voice for the voiceless.
The Beinart Report covered the topic on about March 25 titled something like How to Think About Antisemitism.
Human Angels like Francesca Albanese and Naledi Pandor make us hopeful that there is light at the end of the gruesome tunnel. American politicians have a way with words like 'rendition' for kidnapping and now 'non-binding' for the World got us and it hurts. As Francesca so beautifully said " the world is not functioning as it should" and the obvious malfunction is America (through AIPAC's greasy hand) being beholden to right-wing Israel and its antics. Genocide in Gaza is a given and the usual charge of antisemitism only underlined the obvious.
There are no moral politicians…
That's an obvious lie.
"The world is not functioning as it should, and it's as we are suspended between hope and the abyss." What a powerful quote! WOW!
Her answer in the end regarding hope, I think it was perfect.
I often say this: Hope is not optimism, but a wager on humankind to be responsible!
In her words: "Co-Responsible."
Thank you Mr. Hasan and Ms Albanese. This gives me hope.
I think there was a question about Arab countries' contribution to UNRWA compared to US? Not sure I got her answer clearly- but, I often wonder if Arab and Moslem countries show enough, moral and material, support for the Palestinian people and cause, in a consistent, peaceful and effective manner. I do respect and admire our Jewish cousins' support of Israeli people and cause, no matter what their nationalities may be. As a born Moslem, I feel shame that we fail, miserably, when it comes to supporting our Moslem brothers and sisters during more peaceful times. Yes, we must speak up and show calm, peaceful and smart and strategic support, currently. Just we mustn't forget about the cause when things settle down. Maybe there should be more focus on how Moslem nations/people can improve working together to reach lasting peace and unity. In the longer term, I have learned, it is mankind's thoughts, intentions and desires that will win the bigger "war", the war against "hate" and "destruction" of man's soul. There is a reason we greet one another by saying "Salam" , or "Shalom". W utter the word "peace" so that we may never forget that we have work to do to bring peace to one another, each and every moment of our lives.
Thank you, Mehdi, for your work and starting this platform.
Egypt gets more than $2 billion from the US every year in military aid. How do they dare risk that aid by doing anything that would violate the treaty between them and Israel? Egypt's economy is in deep trouble; it's subsisting on "investments" made by private corporations and loans from the IMF, which it would risk losing as well. Egypt's inflation rate is at 37%.
Mehdi: we would welcome a text of your commentary, interviews, etc that can be read on a computer rather than only available on iphone. Reading an iphone, for me at 86, is quite uncomfortable except for short messages. I read quite a lot on my computer where I am comfortable, have control of the text and can go at my own speed. Podcasts are not my preferred means of getting the news or political commentary due to the small size and unpredictable sound quality. We are subscribers, value your message and viewpoint, and miss your TV show.
I agree with this comment, I would also appreciate reading from transcripts since I mostly prefer reading my newsletters here rather than watching or listening to them.
I hate podcasts. I'm a reader used to absorbing print material, and if I want to go back to something before I'm finished, it's easier to do so with print. So I totally agree with you. I would like transcripts as opposed to videos.
Don't you mean as an option? "as opposed to" is selfish and narcissistic.
And what is your comment except condescending and pointless?
Although 18 years your junior, I sympathize with your difficulties. While there isn't a text option of podcasts (yet), you should be able to view via your computer or tablet if you have one. I too don't see how folks live via their phones. Little screen, little buttons. I actually messaged Zeteo early on to state that I hate Substack and would staff please give a briefing on how it works. But without it there would be no outlet for voices such as Medhi's to still reach us.
I hate smartphones and I can't believe there so many people addicted to them. I also can't believe how much they cost. I don't mind substack though. I think it's great because I can subscribe to only the writers I actually want to read instead of paying for an entire load of stuff that I'm not interested in.
Y'know, it's possible that not everyone other than you is in the wrong.
yes, and I would find subtitles very helpful - the sound on the video was low, even at my highest volume, and I had some difficulty understanding that amazing woman. a real shame.
Hi Jackie - you can always turn closed captioning on for yourself in any meeting on Zoom. Look for the option in the toolbar at the bottom of your Zoom window. Hope that helps! 🙏🏼
I fundamentally agree with how appalling the cruel dehumanization has been/is. Excruciating and painful to witness day in and out for months.
It has been taking time to learn the new vocabulary of this issue, for instance jewish as compared to Israeli as compared to zionist, occupier, settler, Semitic etc. so many of these terms intermingle but as we learn we can begin to express truth more effectively. Terrorist when taken in actual context now reveals a frustration of overwhelmed resistance ignored too long and instead simply labeled and shelved without evaluation.
Of course these terms will be jumped on so possibly we need to standardize to not be inclusive of those who do not partake in these Atrocities. Maybe new terms need creation. Even place names or political names like Palestinian authority require abandonment to form new brighter meanings such as Palestinian Collaborators (PC). or United Palestine (UP). To raise this culture up to its potential.
Thank you, Mehdi Hasan and Francesca Albanese, for this interview. The ramifications of these events, of these decisions being made by Israel and the West, will echo for generations, will probably haunt the world for a long time. While I'm immensely grateful for your taking the time to do this, I also hope that in the future you will examine deeply why you had to: Why are Mehdi Hasan and Francesca Albanese not presenting this to the entirety of America on major network news? Why wasn't Albanese given a front-page 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 article on Tuesday when she released her findings? Why is genocide not the headline story every day everywhere?
• Technical website thing: The comments exist separately from the video, on a different page of the website. This means that when I clicked "19 more comments..." below the two visible comments, a new page opened with only the comments, and the video I was listening to was gone. Admittedly, I should be focused intently on the video alone and not be also reading comments, but I think that this separation of comments from video should be considered for change. After all, it means that if I'm reading a comment that refers to a specific part of the video that I want to see again, I can't just scroll up the page and replay that part—it's on a different page.
good feedback for Mehdi's site in these comments!
Thank you Ms. Albanese and Mehdi.. in dark times brave people shed light on hope..
Quick question, Israel and the U.S. are allies so what all are we legally obliged to do when Israel is attacked-by anyone but in this case by Hamas? When can we stop providing either defensive or offensive weapons; or can we according to our treaty agreements? Personally, I wish we’d hang BiBi out to dry as what he has done to Palestinians over many years(and he’s not the only one)but I also realize doing that isn’t realistic in this political climate we are marinating in at this moment. We have done such before but to less influential leaders that we have had treaties with. I keep hearing that Biden has been working behind the scenes to get aid into Gaza and the West Bank but then I hear about our actions at the UN and see our public face at State which leaves too many unanswered questions.
We already give Israel more than $4 billion a year in cash and weapons, and they have one of the best-armed militaries in the world, so why are we still pouring billions of weapons into Israel? After all this time, I find it hard to believe that anyone in Hamas is still alive and has anything more than sticks and stones to fight with.