Stop This Interview’: TalkTV’s James Whale Cuts Off Debate With Palestinian Author

TalkTV host James Whale ended an interview with Palestinian author Ghada Karmi during a heated segment in which the writer attempted to reframe a question about Hamas’ attack on Israel to discuss Israeli incursions on Gaza.

Inviting Karmi onto the show to discuss the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, Whale became frustrated at the author’s deflection to the historic and political context of Hamas’ emergence and the dire humanitarian situation for civilians in Gaza under current bombardment.

Whale said: “But when people from another place come into yours and just murder innocent women and children, what do you expect them to do? Nothing?”

Karmi tried to clarify the context of the remark and asked: “I presume you’re talking about Israel, are you coming into Gaza?”

Whale responded with evident frustration, accusing her of not aiding her cause.

The host pressed on and said: “I would like to ask you the question that you seem to avoid. What are your personal thoughts that these people came in and committed a massacre if it had happened the other way round, would you not have expected people to behave in the same way? I’d like them to stop. I’d like there to be a ceasefire. I’d like all the innocent people to be taken away.” He went on to criticise the support for “people who are basically fascists and Nazis.”

Karmi seemed taken aback by the barrage of questions.

“What is it you want me to respond to? What would you like me to say?” she said.

Co-host Ash Gould interjected, detailing the atrocities carried out by Hamas during its raid on Israel, but was reprimanded by Whale. Karmi continued expressing her frustration about not being allowed to fully speak, and Whale accusing her of evading questions and spreading propaganda.

“You just want to talk around the houses,” Whale said. “Speak, give me your answer. But don’t tell me the history of the situation.”

“I don’t think you know it,” the author said. “That’s why I’ve had to tell you. You obviously don’t know very much about it…”