Why it matters
Amidst a backdrop of diminishing support for Israel in the United States, Chris Cuomo’s impassioned comparison of the October 7th massacre to genocide carries significant weight. His perspective comes at a time when the American public is increasingly exposed to pro-Palestinian narratives.
What happened
In a powerful nine-minute monologue, CNN’s Chris Cuomo shared his reaction to previously unseen footage of the October 7th massacre. He drew parallels between the attack and the horrors of the Holocaust, as well as the September 11 attacks in the United States, asserting the incident was an unequivocal act of genocide.
Details of the monologue
Referring to the methodology of the attackers, Cuomo emphasized the barbarity of targeting and methodically killing women, children, and the innocents. He likened the tactics used by Hamas to those of terrorists who targeted America’s symbols of freedom, underscoring the calculated nature of such atrocities.
The bigger picture
The visceral images of the attack, as recounted by Cuomo, highlighted the intentional and sadistic violence perpetrated. Cuomo argued that Israel’s subsequent actions are not born out of revenge but out of a profound fear of repeated genocidal threats. His plea to the American protesters was to understand the complexity of the situation before condemning Israel’s responses.
Israel’s reaction
Eylon Levy, an Israeli government spokesman, lauded Cuomo’s heartfelt monologue as a moment of clarity that arises from witnessing the cruel realities of Hamas’s actions.
Context of waning support
The monologue’s timing is crucial as it coincides with a phase of waning sympathy for Israel in the United States. This period has seen a rise in pro-Palestinian sentiments and criticisms of Israel’s military actions, with prominent media figures in the US openly condemning Israeli policies and actions.
Contrasting media narratives
US media personalities like Joy Reid and John Oliver have recently scrutinized Israel’s military responses, with Reid questioning the use of US tax dollars and Oliver accusing Israel of war crimes and collective punishment.
Understanding the shift in sentiment
Chris Cuomo’s monologue stands out as a vocal and contrasting narrative in a time when mainstream media and public opinion in the US are increasingly critical of Israel, bringing to the forefront the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This story was first published on jpost.com.