Gaza: The Roots of Western Hypocrisy with Imam Tom Facchine
Oct 23, 2023
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Imam Tom Facchine discusses the roots of Western hypocrisy regarding Israel's actions. Topics include Western media coverage of Gaza events, the hypocrisy of Western nations in supporting democracy in the Muslim world, and the power of belief and optimism in achieving goals.
The American media exhibits bias in reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, echoing Israeli soundbites and presenting a one-sided narrative.
Liberalism is historically connected to racism, as early liberal thinkers were implicated in slavery and racial hierarchies.
Israel serves as a symbolic and strategic outpost for the West, reinforcing Western superiority and breaking up Muslim unity in the Middle East.
Deep dives
Bias in American Media
The podcast highlights the bias in American media when it comes to reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It discusses how traditional media outlets often echo Israeli soundbites and present a one-sided narrative. Even on newer social media platforms, alternative views have more space, but the traditional media tends to have more unity on Israeli talking points. This bias can be attributed to discursive factors, such as the collective memory of dispossession and the settler colonial dynamic in American consciousness. It is also influenced by the religiosity and Christian political mythology that is still present in American society.
The Structural Connection Between Liberalism and Racism
The episode challenges the notion that liberalism is structurally disconnected from racism. It argues that the historical development of liberalism coincided with colonialism and racism. The early liberal thinkers themselves were implicated in slavery and racial hierarchies. The episode suggests that liberalism and its claim of promoting individual rights and autonomy inherently create an illiberal other that is subjected to legitimate violence. It asserts that the notion of liberalism as a solution to racism is hypocritical, as colonialism and atrocities committed during its peak were the products of liberal ideologies. It suggests that justice, fairness, and equality can be pursued without solely relying on liberal frameworks.
The Western Hypocrisy and Israeli Outpost
The episode discusses the Western hypocrisy in relation to Israel's actions and international law. It argues that Israel serves as a symbolically and materially significant outpost for the West. Symbolically, it appeals to the idea of a crusader state and reinforces the notion of Western superiority in the Middle East. Materially, it acts as a strategic asset in the region, breaking up Muslim unity and serving as a human shield for Western interests. The episode calls for Muslims in the United States to organize and challenge the narrative, emphasizing the need to overcome tribalism and work towards changing the hearts and minds of people, regardless of their political affiliations.
Violence and its perception
The podcast explores the dichotomy between violence that is seen as nonsensical and barbaric, labeled as religious violence for the sake of God, versus violence that is seen as necessary to maintain the liberal order or establish an ethnic nation state. The speaker highlights the way violence is packaged and perceived by society, shedding light on how violence is often glorified or justified based on national interests and the personality of the state. This discussion challenges the notion that liberal states are more civilized or less complicit in violence and remarks on the blanket bans and restrictions imposed by some countries on protests that seemingly align with the values of freedom.
Democracy as a facade
The podcast delves into the contradiction where the West, despite espousing the values of democracy, has often supported undemocratic regimes in the Muslim world. The speaker argues that democracy is frequently used as a tool of convenience and instrumentalized to authorize violence. Examples are given, such as the blockade imposed on Hamas after it was democratically elected and the support given by the United States to remove Imran Khan from power in Pakistan. The discussion highlights how democracy is selectively applied and often manipulated to serve real or perceived interests, challenging the widely held belief in the true commitment to democracy by Western powers.
When we consider the stance of the West over Israel’s actions these past weeks, many point out the blatant hypocrisy in applying their standards. We are constantly told that human rights are inviolable, that freedom of speech is sacrosanct, and that people have the right to self-determination. Westerners sermonise about how Muslims should embrace democratic norms. They pontificate about the rules-based liberal world order, where rules are applied fairly and equally. Yet, in these past weeks, anyone with a conscience would note that these calls ring hollow. We all can see this hypocrisy. But are the West negligent of their ideals? Are they acting in contrary to their liberal values. It is said if only they were brought to the right path once again.
Imam Tom Facchine argues the West is acting perfectly in line with their worldviews. Imam Tom Facchine finished his BA in Political Science and was granted the opportunity to study at the Islamic University of Madinah from 2015-2020, where he obtained his BA from the Faculty of Shariah. Imam Tom is the Research Director of Islam and Society at the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. He is also a resident scholar and imam of Utica Masjid (New York state).
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