By: Ahmed Fathi
New York:- In a recent episode of the popular right-wing show "The Five" on Fox News, host Jesse Watters made Islamophobic comments that have ignited a fierce backlash. The network has remained conspicuously silent in the wake of this controversy, raising concerns about its stance on such issues.
During his astonishing and disturbing rant, Jesse Watters expressed his frustration with Arab Americans and the Muslim world as a whole. He stated, "We have had it with them," in reference to activists tearing down posters highlighting Israeli hostages. Watters went on to say, "And so, if you're an Arab American in this country, and you ripped down posters of Jewish hostages or American hostages — no, no, no, no, someone is going to get punched in the face when you rip down posters of hostages like that."
These remarks drew immediate condemnation, including a strong response from the White House, which described them as a "sickening attack on the rights and dignity of their fellow Americans." The White House also called on Fox News to issue an apology to its viewers.
However, as history has shown, Fox News has not been inclined to offer apologies for controversial statements made by its hosts. The network has maintained its silence in the face of this controversy, leaving many questioning its editorial standards and its commitment to promoting civil discourse.
This incident is not the first time that Jesse Watters has made inflammatory comments since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. In a previous statement made in October, Watters expressed his view that there is no meaningful distinction between Palestinians and Hamas, stating, "I see people with guns. That's Hamas. The people without the guns are the Palestinians. They believe the same thing." This comment equating all Palestinians with support for violence drew criticism from many quarters.
In most credible news organizations and the majority of corporate America, such comments would be considered unacceptable and lead to public reprimands, if not immediate apologies. However, Fox News appears to be an exception to this rule. The network's decision not to address this matter reflects a pattern where offensive comments are broadcast without public reprimand or apology.
The controversy surrounding Jesse Watters' comments highlights a broader issue in a society where hate against Muslim Americans and anti-Semitism are on the rise. Stampeding out bigotry from public discourse should be a collective mission, but for some, it appears that promoting intolerance is their modus operandi.
The silence from Fox News and its willingness to air controversial statements without consequence raise questions about the network's commitment to fostering a respectful and inclusive dialogue in the current charged environment. While the network may have parted ways with figures like Tucker Carlson, disturbing comments still find their way to the airwaves, and Fox News seems to turn a blind eye to them.