Iraqi Cleric Stuns Interviewer Defending Israel and Netanyahu

Iraqi author and cleric Ghaith Al-Tamimi surprised a television interviewer by vehemently defending Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the United Nations. Al-Tamimi stated he "applauded" Netanyahu, challenging the interviewer to find an Arab leader who defends their people as Netanyahu does. He praised Netanyahu for being willing to fight for his people and for Israeli women's honor.

During the interview on the program "The Hard Question," Al-Tamimi strongly criticized Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, dismissing the concept of Israeli "occupation" as a "fictional state" existing only in people's minds. He argued that Palestinian leaders, specifically Mahmoud Abbas and Sinwar, are responsible for the welfare of Palestinian women and children, not Israeli leaders.

Al-Tamimi further drew parallels with other Arab nations, stating that the responsibility for women in Morocco lies with the King of Morocco, in Saudi Arabia with the King of Saudi Arabia, and in Iraq with the Iraqi government. He asserted that when Israeli women were abducted, it was Israel that defended them, implying Palestinians should defend themselves.

When confronted with the idea of occupation, Al-Tamimi retorted, "Where is the occupation? Where is it? Occupation exists when there is a state whose land has been conquered. Show me where this state is?! A fictional state that exists only in our heads, to feed the conflict in our countries! Our interest is with Israel! We have no interest with Mahmoud Abbas and not with Sinwar either, this is the Arab truth."

Al-Tamimi, a former Shiite cleric born in Baghdad and now living in London, is known for his strong criticism of the Iranian regime, Shiite militias, and political Islam. He advocates for modernization, regional reconciliation, and normalization of relations with Israel.