‘Maybe You’re Not Used To Women Talking’: Palestinian Guest Brands Julia Hartley-Brewer ‘Racist’ After ‘Stereotyping’ Jab
TalkTV host Julia Hartley-Brewer was accused of “racial stereotyping” by viewers after frustratedly shouting down her Palestinian guest Dr Mustafa Barghouti and insinuating that the overlapping conversation was because he was “not used to women talking.”
Barghouti called in via video link on Thursday to discuss the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, deputy leader of Hamas, in Lebanon. Conversation quickly broke down during a heated discussion about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, after a question set up by the host was interrupted.
As the guest claimed that “Netanyahu is destroying democracy” in Israel and detailed the numerous domestic court cases against him, Hartley-Brewer attempted, in turn, to cut him off.
“Okay, we haven’t got time to do the entire history of Benjamin Netanyahu,” she said.
As she did Barghouti continued to talk, explaining that he was not talking about history but events that are happening in Israel today, leading the host to a point of visible frustration.
Hartley-Brewer said: “You talked about how you don’t want Israel. Israel, you’re saying, Israel, that October 7th happened, you’re placing that in historical context. I understand that. Please don’t say that again. We don’t have time for it. You’ve made that point five times already.”
“I don’t know what you have time for,” Barghouti responded.
“Oh my God!” Hartley-Brewer shouted. “For the love of God let me finish a sentence man. Maybe you’re not used to women talking, I don’t know, but I’d like to finish a sentence sir. Anyway, so…”
“You are misleading the public…” the guest began in his defence.
The host, again, raised her voice, under time pressure and offering her guest a final input: “If you don’t think Israel’s reaction is acceptable, what would have been an acceptable reaction to you? You’ve got ten seconds left.”
Barghouti replied: “To end occupation and allow peace to prevail for both peoples.”
Hartley-Brewer signed off: “Brilliant. Yeah, sorry to have been a woman speaking to you, but there you are.”
The interaction, posted in a clip by TalkTV on X, has since gone viral with viewers responding to Hartley-Brewer’s retort that Barghouti was “not used to woman talking.”
Dear @Ofcom is this fair and impartiality, sounds like bullying and racial stereotyping to me.
This is an absolute disgrace.— Abe (@ihradefintion) January 3, 2024
Responding to the backlash, Hartley-Brewer questioning what she’d said wrong.
What on earth did I say that had anything to do with his race? 🙄
— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) January 3, 2024
Since then, Barghouti himself has spoken up, branding Hartley-Brewer a “racist and unprofessional journalist.”
