Today: 24 June 2025
8 January 2024
3 mins read

British journalist slammed for ‘racist’ interview

Barghouti continues: “This man now has three, four courts against him because of four cases of corruption. This man knows if the war stops, he will go to jail.”…reports Asian Lite News

A British journalist’s interview with a Palestinian politician has sparked anger on social media, with viewers around the world describing the presenter’s conduct as “racist” and “unprofessional,” and demanding an apology.

Talk TV’s Julia Hartley-Brewer was interviewing Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Mustafa Barghouti on Wednesday, the day after Israel assassinated deputy Hamas chief Saleh Al-Arouri in Beirut.

In video footage of the interview, which went viral on social media in the days that followed, Hartley-Brewer repeatedly interrupts her guest and shouts at him as he talks about the rule of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Do you think Israel is a democratic country? Netanyahu is destroying democracy,” Barghouti says.

Speaking over him, Hartley-Brewer says: “They have elections.”

Barghouti continues: “This man now has three, four courts against him because of four cases of corruption. This man knows if the war stops, he will go to jail.”

After further exchanges, Hartley-Brewer expresses impatience and says: “You talked about how you do not want Israel… you are saying Israel, Oct. 7 happened, you are placing that in a historical context, I understand that, please do not say that again. We do not have time for it. You have made that point five times already.”

Barghouti, who is head of the Palestinian National Initiative, responds: “I do not know what you have time for.”

Hartley-Brewer raises her voice to say: “Oh my God. For the love of God, let me finish a sentence, man. Maybe you are not used to women talking, I do not know, but I would like to finish a sentence.”

While Barghouti remains calm and composed, the broadcaster, in a still-raised voice, gives him 10 seconds to outline what he believes would have been “an acceptable reaction” to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

“To end occupation and allow peace to prevail for both people,” Barghouti says.

“Brilliant,” Hartley-Brewer says, then slaps her desk and concludes by saying: “Sorry to have been a woman speaking to you.”

Shocked viewers took to social media to express their anger, describing Hartley-Brewer as “bigoted,” “racist” and “unprofessional,” and demanding an apology from Talk TV.

British newsreader India Willoughby said in a message posted on social media network X that Hartley-Brewer “is very lucky that she lives in a time period where bullies are indulged,” and noted that Barghouti had “seemed very calm.”

Philip Proudfoot, a politics researcher, tweeted: “The level of disrespect shown to Palestinian MP Mustafa Barghouti here is beyond shocking, including an anti-Arab trope framing his struggle to explain even basic context to Julia Hartley-Brewer as driven by … misogyny.”

British-Lebanese journalist Hala Jaber shared Talk TV’s clip and described the presenter as “rude, bigoted, narrow-minded, arrogant and absolutely unprofessional.”

Addressing Hartley-Brewer directly, she added: “Your performance was a disgrace to your profession.” Reem Kelani, who described herself as a “proud Arab woman,” urged Talk TV and Hartley-Brewer to apologize. “Her interview with Dr. Barghouti, a man of great integrity, was a disgrace,” she wrote on X. “Hartley-Brewer also made false accusations about Dr. Barghouti’s stance towards women.”

Stewart Mills, who is based in Sydney according to his X profile, wrote: “Appalling racism by Julia Hartley-Brewer.” Demanding an apology, he said the journalist’s conduct showed “complete disrespect for a beautiful and decent man who has devoted his life to community and public health.”

Columnist Reem Al-Harmi said Hartley-Brewer’s language was “condescending, patronizing, and next-level gaslighting.”

ALSO READ-Iran issues death threats to British journalists for covering protests

Previous Story

UAE Joins Lunar Space Station Project

Next Story

Russia launches 28 drones at Ukraine overnight

Latest from -Top News

Trump Lashes Out Over Fragile Truce

Trump mentioned that both countries “violated” the ceasefire that was announced late Monday….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a stern warning to both Israel and Iran, accusing

Qatar Summons Iran Envoy Over Base Strike

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed to Iranian Ambassador Ali Saleh Abadi that it reserves the right to respond to this flagrant violation in accordance with international law. Qatar on Tuesday summoned

No Ceasefire Deal, Says Tehran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says no “agreement” on ceasefire between Israel and Iran…reports Asian Lite News Uncertainty and scepticism mounted on Monday after a surprise ceasefire announcement by the United States,

Qatar: Retaliation on the Table

Majed Al Ansari added that the State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard….reports Asian Lite News Qatar on Monday announced that it

Trump Claims Iran-Israel Truce

The announcement followed a symbolic show of Iran, which shot missiles at a US base in Qatar after having given the US notice of the strike, according to Trump….reports Asian Lite News
Go toTop