For several years now Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show has shown himself to be the only major media figure to fearlessly challenge the official "line" on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Repeatedly, he has slammed the occupation and has even mocked the pretensions of AIPAC which (along with the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee) works hard to keep media figures, like Members of Congress, from addressing the conflict in an honest way.
Last night, Stewart did it again. He and Daily Show correspondent John Oliver did a routine in which they described America's hypocrisy in addressing human rights disasters (like the one in Libya). Their point was that in order to get U.S. assistance, rather than mere equivocation, people struggling for freedom need to meet certain criteria. For instance, it helps if the offending government is America's enemy and if it has oil. (Sudan was offered as an example of the kind of country — poor and without natural resources we need — to which we offer words of support, and not much else.)
The bit ended with the list of criteria an oppressed people must meet in order to get the kind of assistance we are providing Libya. It was a long list, delivered rapid fire like the side-effects described in a pharmaceutical commercial.
But the offer was not for a particular pill or medicine but for America's help in throwing off the bonds of oppression.
And then the kicker:
The audience erupted in applause.
As is usually the case, Jon Stewart is the voice of a younger generation (including Jews like himself) that does not buy into the conventional wisdom accepted and delivered by its elders. Uncritical and unconditional support for Israel, and acceptance of the horrific 44-year occupation, is one example.
Of all the icons that the iconoclastic Stewart chooses to smash, this is the one that gets media figures in the most trouble, which is why Jon Stewart is all alone out there. But not for long.
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There was an old singer named Stewart.
Whose voice was so thouroughly through- "What?"...
Did he just utter?
Hummingbird flutter?
It's time that he take up a new art!
Just me or is the final sentence cryptic? Who is joing the "challenging of the official line" toward Israel. Our official position has been hypocritical and disingenuous for decades. That's going to change? When? By whom?
Long Live The Daily Show..
The applause erupted because it was the end of the skit and they probably had lights flashing on the set---indicating a cut-away to commercial.
This was the ONLY reference to the Israel/Palestine controversy in the entire video, yet, it becomes the tag line of the article. I do not watch the Daily Show very much so I can't say if the article is accurate in its contention that Mr. Stewart really is "the only major media figure to fearlessly challenge the official "line" on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict . . . . slammed the occupation and has even mocked the pretensions of AIPAC . . "
However, using MJ's exponentially overstated remarks on the embedded video as a guide to Stewart's other statements (those not referenced), one has to seriously question if Mr. Stewart is to be more accurately described as a "Zionist".
Yes, it was the end of the routine, but both my wife and I caught "the kicker" watching at home and it added to the hilarity for both of us. The version of US hypocrisy being lampooned is not valid in West Bank or Gaza. We have other hypocrisies for that purpose.
Trollstein, indeed. Truth in advertising is very commendable because it is rare. I tip my hat to you sir.
Jon doesn't like racism/ethnism PERIOD
The world contains about 6.8-billion people. Of this number, I would be surprized if more then 25% ever heard of the Israel/Palestine conflict and equally surprized if more then 5-10% ever heard of AIPAC.
1. I do not lack originality and
2. I do not start up personal effronts.
Jon Stewart is to the Palestinians under OCCUPATION & SIEGE
thus UNDER the bus?
what Martin Luther King was to the African Americans in
the Back of the bus!
Wouldn't it be out of this world;
if following in the Footsteps of Moses;
Jon Stewart would lead the Palestinians from the
Diaspora/BONDAGE in the Refugee Camps
back to their Native HOMELAND: Palestine?
That was what Pharoah said to Moses!
They the disclaimer about the west bank and gaza indicating US non involvement in the palestinians seeking democratic reform and elections they have been denied by Fatah and Hamas was quite clever.
Since they came to power they have not allowed any further elections.
Guess what? Numbering among the Palestinians are terrorists and people who seek to destroy the entire nation of Israel and numbering among the Israeli population are people who see the entire landscape as a 'god-given' right and are willing to throw people out of there homes to achieve this.
Guess what else? These numbers are incredibly small.
But suprise suprise they were all wrong and it turns out Gaddafi was going to win this thing.
Now Europe and mostly the UK and BP can't go on to deal and trade with Libya as if nothing has happened after how the just a few days ago described Gaddafi as a brutal dictator guilty of killing his own people, how could they look to their voters in the eyes? Yet they can't afford to loose those oil deals. So there was no backing up now, they spoke too fast and placed their money on the winning horse after only a quarter of the race and turns out they were wrong, there is only one option left take out the winning horse and attack Gaddafi's forces.
Why Isn't the Arab Leauge fighting their own wars?
Nothing like going to war to help out the people of Kuwait, Iraq, Libya only to get your flag burned in return.
She's fighting for control of their oil.
I am a huge critic of Israel, but equally critical of these corrupt Arab fiefdoms
Have you considered that maybe "the Lobby" just isn't as scary and/or oppressive as you think it is?
He's so focused on demonizing Israel that he misread the intent of the "disclaimer" in pointing out how the palestinians have been denied democracy an freedom by their own rulers.
No wonder he's one of the best-loved entertainment people in the country. AND one of the most influential.
For a very good reason. Long live US Israel friendship
It's not a friendship when you are paying them.
Tax dollars (Billions EVERY YEAR) to give them to a FOREIGN COUNTRY: Israel
Billions of Dollars that should be spent on the American POOR & HOMELESS!
Americans should be PROUD of their support of a democratic state that rose our of the ashes of war; one that defended itself; built a prosperous economy (with health care for all, including the Arabs); and stands willing to make peace with its neighbors, if they will just stop trying to annihilate them.
Is that too much to ask? What do other countries do when terrorists sworn to undo a regime attack? See Britain/IRA, Russia/Chechnyia, US/Afghanistan-Al-Quaeda, etc. etc.