The Take Amid ceasefire, Omar El Akkad on the politics that betrayed Gaza
Oct 10, 2025
Omar El Akkad, an acclaimed novelist and former journalist, delves into the complex politics surrounding Gaza in his latest work. He discusses the profound suffering endured over the past two years and critiques the West’s failure to support Gaza. El Akkad addresses the contradictions of the US's role as a peace broker and the troubling trend of historical amnesia regarding atrocities. He highlights a shift in public opinion and the importance of recognizing acts of resistance among youth, contrasting it with the civility of political figures.
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Hope Amid Cynicism
- Omar El Akkad says any pause in Gaza's carnage inspires hope despite his cynicism.
- He credits frontline journalists' courage while acknowledging his safety on the "launching side of the bombs."
Limits Of U.S. Brokerage
- El Akkad argues the U.S. cannot be an honest broker while aligned with the occupying power.
- He warns of institutional forgetting and blocked accountability if a ceasefire holds.
Tweet That Became A Book
- Omar recounts his October 2023 tweet that inspired his book title about hindsight condemnation.
- He compares it to how liberals later claim they were always opposed to past injustices like apartheid and segregation.
