US: Social media users slam 'interrogation' of Ta-Nehisi Coates over Palestine

 Many also praised the American writer and journalist for his 'moral clarity' and handling of 'anti-Palestinian bias' during his interview with CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil

Author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates testifies during a hearing on slavery reparations held in Washington, 2019. (Zach Gibson/AFP)

By Mera Aladam

Published date: 1 October 2024 17:44 BST | Last update: 2 weeks 6 days ago

The host of a US TV show is facing a backlash after suggesting that author and public intellectual Ta-Nehisi Coates espoused "extremist" views in his writing about Palestinians.

Social media users accused CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil of unprofessionalism and bias for his interview on Monday with Coates about his latest book, The Message, a collection of three essays about the author's experiences in Senegal, the American South and Palestine.

After a brief introduction, Dokoupil said he wanted to discuss the section about Israel and Palestine, stating: "When I read the book, I imagine if I took your name out of it, took away the awards and the acclaim, took the cover off the book, the publishing house goes away, the content of that section would not be out of place in the backpack of an extremist."

He went on to accuse Coates of leaving out "so much" about the Israeli perspective and said his writing on the Israel-Palestine conflict "de-legitimises the pillars of Israel".

"Is it because you just don't believe that Israel in any condition has a right to exist?" he asked.

He later added: "And if your answer is no, then I guess the question becomes why do the Palestinians have a right to exist? Why do 20 different Muslim countries have a right to exist?"

Coates replied that he wanted to highlight a perspective not seen in mainstream US coverage about Israel and Palestine.

"There's nothing that offends me about a Jewish state. I am offended by the idea of states built on ethnocracy, no matter where they are. I would not want a state where any group of people lay down their citizenship rights based on ethnicity," he said later in the interview.

"The country of Israel is a state in which half the population exist on one tier of citizenship and everybody else that's ruled by Israel exist on another tier, including Palestinian Israeli citizens," he continued.

"Either apartheid is right or it's wrong. It's really, really simple."

Middle East Eye has reached out to Coates and Dokoupil for comment.

'Clear example of journalistic malpractice'

Many social media users criticised the line of questioning thrown at Coates, calling it "hostile" and an "interrogation" but praised the writer's handling the interview.

"He called Professor Coates, one of the most celebrated & accomplished thinkers of our time, an 'extremist,' because his book dares to center Palestinian humanity," Pakistani-American author and human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"Ta-Nehisi Coates responds gracefully to a cynical interviewer who tells him that his book belongs 'in the backpack of an extremist' because Coates is opposed to the genocidal apartheid regime inflicting unending harm upon Palestinians and their right to life," another user wrote.

Other users argued that Dokoupil's rhetoric represented the typical treatment of public figures and journalists who have spoken against Israel's occupation and mistreatment of Palestinians. 

"Among the many reasons that this segment will likely live in infamy as a clear example of open Islamophobic racism and journalistic malpractice from @CBSNews," wrote journalist Heidi Moore.

"A truly disgraceful, embarrassing year for journalism in which we have seen how many of our colleagues are pro-apartheid, pro-genocide, and racist in ways they kept hidden."

"Coates faces the same attacks in this clip as every journalist who has tried to speak about the occupation and apartheid; you love terrorism, you hate Jews. It's moving to watch a man who has witnessed the truth refuse to buckle," one user wrote.

"Why didn't you explain that actually the Palestinians are the ones responsible for their own apartheid is a weird argument," another commented.

Some called for the removal of Dokoupil from his role, or for him to issue an apology to Coates.

Users also expressed an increased interest in purchasing the book after the interview as a show of support for Coates' work on the Palestinian cause. 

"This certainly made it likelier that I'll buy the book. Come to think of it, I'll also get copies for both my daughters," one user wrote.

"The worm has turned on the story of Israeli victimhood. Everyone can see which side is killing thousands upon thousands of defenseless people, and media propagandists can no longer explain it away."

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