(Credit: CNN)
CNN cut ties with opinion contributor Marc Lamont Hill after his comments about Palestine. Hill said at the United Nations that there should be a “free Palestine from the river to the sea.”
“The statement, which many say refers to the boundaries of the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, is a rallying cry by several Palestinian groups, including Hamas, and is viewed by some as calling for the elimination of Israel, which currently occupies those boundaries,” Politico reported.
“Some mainstream Jewish groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, expressed frustration with Hill’s remarks, which also included endorsing the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel,” the Washington Post added.
A CNN spokesperson told iMediaEthics, “Marc Lamont Hill is no longer under contract with CNN.”
On Twitter, Hill defended his speech, saying he wasn’t making a “call to destroy Israel.”
In my speech, I talked about the need to return to the pre-1967 borders, to give full rights to Palestinian citizens of Israel, and to allow right of return. No part of this is a call to destroy Israel. It’s absurd on its face.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
I believe in full rights for all citizens. I believe in safety for all citizens. I believe in self-determination for all citizens. This is not an anti-Semitic position.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
Anyone who studies the region, or the history of Palestinian nationalism, knows that “river to sea” has been, and continues to be, a phrase used by many factions, ideologies, movements, and politicians.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
The phrase dates back to at least the middle of the British Mandate and has never been the exclusive province of a particular ideological camp. The idea that this is a Hamas phrase is simply untrue.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
It’s also ABSURD and illogical to suggest that a speech that explicitly called for redrawing borders and granting full citizenship for Palestinians IN Israel was also calling for its destruction. People either didn’t listen to the speech or they’re being dishonest.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
I support Palestinian freedom. I support Palestinian self-determination. I am deeply critical of Israeli policy and practice.
I do not support anti-Semitism, killing Jewish people, or any of the other things attributed to my speech. I have spent my life fighting these things.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 29, 2018
