Fox News host Jesse Watters, no stranger to accusations of racism and bigotry, decided to go full Islamophobic on Wednesday by claiming he’s had “enough” with Arab Americans and Muslims.
Amid escalating violence in Gaza and growing calls for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, universities and cities around the world also saw a wave of anti-Israel protesters tearing down posters depicting hostage-taking by Hamas terrorists.
The New York Times reported on the incidents in which the ubiquitous leaflets were destroyed, noting that posting the posters “has become a form of activism to protect the more than 200 hostages seized by Hamas in full view of the public.” to keep.”
At the same time, the newspaper noted that the removal of the leaflets had “quickly become its own form of protest,” comparing it to a “release valve” for those angered by the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians. “The fight has already ignited tense emotions,” the Times said. “And it captures one of the war’s most hotly debated questions: whose suffering should command public attention and compassion?”
The Gray Lady’s depiction of the poster-tearing incident sparked outrage on Fox News and was the top story on Wednesday’s “The Five,” the right-wing network’s most-watched show. When a graphic depiction of the “liberal media” defending the removal of the hostage posters was heard on television, Watters launched into a boisterous and angry tirade.
“I want to say something about Arab Americans and the Muslim world,” he began.
“We – and when I say I mean the West and Western technology – created the Middle East,” Watters continued. “We made them rich. We got the oil out of the ground, our military protects all these oil shipments flying around the world and makes them rich. We fund their military. We respect their kings. We kill their terrorists. OK? But we did it. We’re tired of it!”
After saying that previous presidents had “tried in vain to get out of this stupid desert,” he raged that the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks happened “just as we’re getting out,” after “this great balance of power” had been established had been.
And it continued.
“These crazy Muslim fanatics come in and massacre over a thousand of our allies. And hold Jewish people hostage, hold Americans hostage,” he roared, before appearing to advocate for violence. “And so if you’re an Arab American in this country and you’re tearing down posters of Jewish hostages, American hostages – no. No no no. Someone gets punched in the face.”
He then took issue with the Times article, saying they had “commodified suffering now,” before agreeing with co-host Greg Gutfeld’s argument that minorities are given a “carte blanche” in today’s society.
“You’re going to put a price tag on emotional suffering,” Watters explained. “You know, is it the Jews? Are they black teenagers? The Indians? The Palestinians? As you say, whoever has suffered the most and who has suffered the most can get a free pass.”
He concluded: “And now they have justified violence to avenge suffering. And so people are now above the law. People are under the law and that drives everyone crazy because we can’t live in a country like that. And I won’t live in a country like that.”
Following Watters’ over-the-top rant, Harold Ford Jr. – the show’s resident “liberal” panelist – added that he “didn’t necessarily disagree with what Jesse said.”
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