Ta-Nehisi Coates Speaks Out Against Israel's "Segregationist Apartheid Regime" After West Bank Visit

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Published 2023-11-02
As pressure builds for a ceasefire after 27 days of Israel's bombardment of Gaza, author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates joins us in a broadcast exclusive interview to discuss his journey to Palestine and Israel and learning about the connection between the struggle of African Americans and Palestinians. "The most shocking thing about my time over there was how uncomplicated it actually is," says Coates, who calls segregation in Palestine and Israel "evil." "There's no way for me, as an African American, to come back and stand before you, to witness segregation and not say anything about it." Coates acknowledges the suppression of those advocating for Palestinian rights but says this is not new for Black writers and journalists. "I have to measure my fear against the misery that I saw."

Transcript: democracynow.org

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All Comments (21)
  • @ElainaDeVeaux1
    "You can not witness evil and come back and not speak on it", speak out against it! This moved me. Powerful!
  • This man has graduated to the next dimension...just by his passionate compassionate empathy of others difficulties ....A Man ...
  • @frequincys
    I have to measure my fear against the misery that I saw! That statement hits so hard.
  • “I understood the rage that comes when you have a history of oppression… the anger… humiliation…”
  • @mymiphone1841
    In two days i was able to learn everthing about this situation. From the Balfour declaration, to the creation of Isreal in 1948, all the intifada, the selttlements in the west bank, the occupation of GAZA. After learning all of that, i was able to form my opinion. People who say is complicated are lying. They just not want you to understand the apartheid and ethnic cleansing that was happening for decades. I'm actually not proud of myself for waiting so long to get the info...
  • @brementmark
    As an American Jew, I cannot for a second comprehend the U.S Jewish sentiment after we know our history. Thank you for the interview with Tanahasi C
  • @jvs333
    One of the BEST guest you’ve had on your show. This man spoke calm truth
  • So much respect for Ta-Nehisi. We need more courageous and compassionate voices like his. And thank you Democracy Now for airing this.
  • @scj3188
    This is a powerful interview. Stop the genocide Isreal and free Palestine!
  • @Rd-bi7vr
    The true news channel in America. Keep it up DN . It takes tremendous courage to speak up in these times.
  • @lisamcalonie6281
    It is so sad that principled and honorable people, like this man, are not in world leadership positions. Instead, power and money hungry narcissists are in those positions 🤦‍♀️
  • “A moral alliance that is transactional is not a moral alliance” 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
  • @snokkensiedeutch
    Do Palestinians, or any other occupied and oppressed population have A RIGHT TO RESIST the oppressors? Everyone continues to repeat that Israel has a right to defend themselves, but when are we going to answer that the Palestinians have a right to forcefully resist land theft and apartheid?! My understanding is that this is a right under international law.
  • @asabifatosin1150
    “I am in good company. I am in the company of my Ancestors.” Yes, ALways.
  • @nsscal
    Hats off to you Ta-Nehisi Coates for your courage and principled stand. I wish i could be as courageous to express my concerns with Israeli apartheid more openly. Surely there is anti-semitism and it should be condemned vehemently and equally with other forms of discrimination, oppression, condescension against any groups of people including majority or minority populations. People should set aside their religious, ethnic, nationalistic and geographic tribalism for sake of humanity. I am willing to believe there are complexities in this Israeli-Palestinian business but do hope the Israelis realize the hardship and unfairness they are imposing on the Palestinians. The world understood what the jews endured even if it could not stand up for them as much as the Jews might have liked but certainly the Jews should be the first people to know how that kind of inhumanity feels.
  • @nati7728
    Thank you! The morality of the situation is not complicated, we need bravery
  • @bodymindsoul60
    It has been truly scary and mind blowing to me to watch all these politicians hypocrisy and lack of integrity!
  • “If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” — Malcolm X
  • @yotimyodoggggg
    Ta-Nehisi Coates speaks the truth in this video. Everybody needs to see the humanity of the Palestinian people.