CNN’s Scott Jennings expressed strong disapproval toward a panel guest who characterized Israel’s actions as genocide and asserted that both former President Trump and President Biden were involved in this.
During a recent CNN Newsnight segment focused on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Majority Report co-host Emma Vigeland claimed the U.S. was “complicit” in what she referred to as the “genocide in Gaza.”
The notion of genocide in Gaza is highly contested, particularly regarding casualty figures, which are reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health controlled by Hamas.
Jennings stated, “It seems like a significant issue that the U.S. has lost its moral authority globally due to its complicity in Gaza, and that the Biden administration plays a major role in this, complicating our discussions about Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the Russian government’s actions.”
She referenced the Ministry of Health’s casualty estimates, claiming “hundreds of thousands” had died and attributing those deaths to “American bombs.”
Vigeland concluded, stating it would be remembered as one of history’s gravest crimes, implicating both the Biden and Trump administrations.
Jennings urged moderator Abby Phillip to delve deeper into the topic, but she responded, “I don’t have time.”
He reacted, saying, “We clearly have time for anti-Israel narratives; it’s astonishing.”
Jennings continued, sharing his confusion, saying, “Israel is our ally. Yet, your remarks excluded any acknowledgment of the atrocities on October 7th or Israel’s right to defend itself. You’ve not mentioned that Hamas is also harming people in Gaza, including its own citizens.”
A conservative voice added, “You seem to blame everything on your democratic ally Israel and on the U.S., but have you addressed the terrorists—those who committed rapes, murders, and kidnappings? Nothing at all?”
“Excuse me, B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights organization, says that they are committing genocide,” Vigeland responded, citing a report released in July.
The conflict in Gaza escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed approximately 1,200 individuals in Israel and took more than 250 hostages.
In the aftermath of two years of conflict, the Trump administration helped broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October that included plans for the hostages’ release.
However, peace efforts have been fragile, especially as the Trump administration urged both sides to proceed to the next phase of the ceasefire deal. Fighting resumed in various areas since then.
