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Another sign of the changing mainstream discourse. Stephen Colbert hosted Congresswoman Donna Edwards and out of nowhere brought up the two-state solution. The resulting exchange shows how completely out-of-touch the US mainstream is with the reality over there. Edwards is “accused of being lukewarm on Israel” because she has taken what is considered a leftwing position of supporting a Palestinian state; but of course the Democratic Party has done nothing to support Palestinian freedom from occupation out of fear that it will seem “lukewarm on Israel;” and Colbert, in his mockery, seems to recognize that the political discourse is broken on this question. @ 3:24 in the interview
Colbert: Eddy, you’ve been accused of being lukewarm on Israel, do you support a two state solution?
Edwards: I do.
Colbert: Two Israels, because I agree with that.
Edwards: No.
Colbert: We need a spare Israel, maybe up in Lebanon just is case something happens to the first Israel.
Edwards: No, a secure state of Israel and an independent Palestinian state.
Colbert: But that’s a slippery slope.
Edwards: Which slope is that?
Colbert: The Palestinian state, what’s next gay marriage? It’s a shanda.
Edwards: No I don’t think that’s true.
Colbert: It’s what the gays love .. they love it slippery.
Edwards: I think i’m going to leave the marriage equality debate…
(Hat tip Karen Platt)
“Two Israels”.
Colbert is amazing and totally gets it.
Colbert is very aware. And, methinks, more courageous than Stewart on his show. I heard Colbert’s sister lost her run for US fed govt elected seat–big time. What’s that mean? BTW, 99% of Americans I know personally would not “get” Colbert’s text from his show. I’d like to think that’s only because I’m a geezer, but it’s not.
Colbert to Oren: When does bombing on Iran start? By JPOST.COM STAFF03/06/2013 16:41
WATCH / Report Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren kept a straight face and message on Tuesday night, despite gentle interrogation from Stephen Colbert. The mock conservative chat show host questioned Oren over US President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to Israel and Israel’s intentions regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
“Netanyahu wanted the other guy, that’s clear,” Colbert stated, referring to the prime minister’s alleged support for Republican candidate Mitt Romney during the November 2012 presidential elections. “It’s not”, insisted Oren, “Israel does not get involved in internal politics.” “You’re adorable!” interjected an apparently disbelieving Colbert.
Turning to Iran, Colbert asked Oren, “When does the bombing start?”
“No country has a greater interest than Israel in resolving the Iranian nuclear threat by diplomatic means,” said Oren.”We have the most skin in the game.”
“I want you to tell Netanyau when you get back there, that the Colbert Nation is behind Israel on this one”, the host said, “and if you do bomb Iran, we are right behind you with just as many nuclear weapons as you admit to having.”
>> No, a secure state of Israel and an independent Palestinian state.
Does the Palestinian state get to be secure, too? Is the state of Israel going to remain an oppressive and supremacist “Jewish State” or will it finally become a secular, democratic and egalitarian state?
(I can only hope the Palestinian state will be secular, democratic and egalitarian.)
Maybe he “gets it” and at least he’s making fun of it. But where is the “Israel is lawless and the USA supports that lawlessness” part? I mean, even Kerry and Obama (and N’yahu) SAY they support 2SS, which means they are all (occasionally) talking in public about it, regardless of what they really think-mean-intend.
Perhaps in USA’s MSM, it is an act of bravery even to raise 2SS as an act-of-comedy. But is that a pathway, an encourager or facilitator, toward serious (non-comedic) discussion in the MSM of the impediments to 2SS? Is it like having a Palestinian guest on the show — altho, granted, Edwards doesn’t LOOK Jewish, so that’s a near first on TV.
But, hey, the joke about 2SS as “two Israels” was pretty close to the mark, pretty close to the “generous offers” of non-militarized bantustans. I rest your case.