NEW YORK, Saturday, December 01, 2018 (WAFA) – Progressive American Jews called on the American news network CNN on Saturday to reinstate political commentator Marc Lamont Hill who was fired for his pro-Palestine views.
Hill delivered a speech on Wednesday to the United Nations on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People in which he advocated for their human rights, outlined how Israel denies Palestinians their basic liberties, and asked the international community to “commit to political action”.
The next day — under pressure from right-wing leaders and the Jewish establishment — CNN fired him.
“This news is appalling. We are demanding that CNN reinstate Marc Lamont Hill because advocating for Palestinian rights should NOT be a fireable offense. In supporting Palestinian freedom, Marc Lamont-Hill was in no way being anti-Semitic,” said the American Jewish group IfNotNow.
Marc Lamont Hill has spent much of his life fighting against racism and oppression in America, said the group.
In a tweet responding to accusations against him, he said, “I support Palestinian freedom. I support Palestinian self-determination. I am deeply critical of Israeli policy and practice. I do not support anti-Semitism, killing Jewish people, or any of the other things attributed to my speech. I have spent my life fighting these things”.
IfNotNow warned that censoring conversations about Palestinian rights by falsely claiming antisemitism sets a terrifying precedent.
“Just imagine being fired because you gave a speech that criticized Israel’s policy of occupation and declared that Palestinians deserve basic human rights. That is why we as Jews are saying it is not anti-Semitic to demand freedom for the Palestinian people, and advocating for Palestinian human rights should not be a fireable offense,” it said.
“We need a future where no one lives in fear of being fired for talking about Palestinian human rights and liberation. Demanding freedom and dignity for all Palestinians can also include demanding an end to antisemitism and white nationalism. CNN, we call on you to reinstate Marc Lamont Hill immediately.”
M.K.
