23 Comments
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Peter Allen's avatar

I would have no problem with Ms. Rachel's position as long as she was equally supportive of Israeli children who were murdered or lost family on October 7.

I doubt she made any statement of support for Israeli children.

Todd Bauer's avatar

If October 7th continued happening for 2 years, I have a hunch she would have done just that - and if Gaza had only been struck on one day, however atrocious, I doubt she would have said anything about it. I'm a firm believer in Israel's right to defend itself, and I place the overwhelming bulk of the blame for what's happening in Gaza on Hamas, but I don't think this is a fair criticism to levy.

Domenic Molinaro's avatar

Palestinian children, Israeli children, children in the US — Muslim, Jewish, Christian children — all children, in every country,” she wrote in response.

“Not one is excluded.”

The week after she launched the fundraiser, and amid a backlash, she released a song on her show in support of “all the children,” including hostages and those in Israel.

Peter Allen's avatar

I can support that statement.

Geoff Paterson's avatar

Did you even read Zaid's article?

Edward Scizorhands's avatar

I did, and you made me think I had missed a place in the article where Miss Rachel talked to someone who had been held hostage or had to live in a bomb shelter or anything like that. I took another look and I still don't see it.

(The fact that she didn't doesn't mean she's anything bad. I think it would be good in theory, but without some skill it becomes a clumsy attempt at "balance." The adults are fighting and the babies don't understand why is a very normal concept.)

Geoff Paterson's avatar

Because she didn't say on her show that she talked to a hostage or someone who had to live in a bomb shelter (Newsflash: Palestinians often do) she can't show sympathy towards suffering children? Not sure what you point is?

Edward Scizorhands's avatar

No, I said she's under no requirement to do some clumsy "balance" nonsense.

Geoff Paterson's avatar

I think suffering children, regardless of their background, is something we can all agree is bad and should not require "balance" in reporting.

Betsy's avatar

"Although he was a lifelong registered Republican, he was a minister first and foremost" - because registered Republicans - those rascals who passed the CRA - by definition DO NOT "believed, more than anything, that children everywhere deserved the dignity bestowed upon them by their creator"? Your biases are showing, Mr. Jilani. But it's helpful to know where you're coming from.

Edward Scizorhands's avatar

Although he was a Jew, Mr Goldberg never overcharged me interest on my loan.

Daniel Lefkowitz's avatar

I don't usually like blacks, but you're different.

Lisa Huber's avatar

I take offense to two things in this article. First, Mr. Murray has spent an extensive amount of time in the Middle East. His remarks about Mr. Smith were not aimed at his right to have an opinion rather that his opinion should be based in fact which apparently it was not.

Second, much aid has been sent into Gaza and has not gone to the masses but rather to support Hamas. They used schools and hospitals as staging grounds for their war on Israel, hence innocent civilians have been killed.

I do not take offense to Miss Rachael and her desire to humanize Palestinian children, but there are children , not only Jewish children who are suffering today but children both abroad and in our own country who are suffering. Let us not lose sight of their suffering. I believe her message about the suffering of Palestinian children is aimed at the adults in the room!

Joe Sterling's avatar

Good column but maybe I see one aspect of this differently. As a relatively observant and definitely politically progressive Jew, I have never seen the entertainment business accurately and sensitively reflect life in our community here in the U.S. or anywhere else. It’s the rare film or TV show that is the exception that proves the rule. Caricatures abound. Novels and other print platforms have better served us. Just because a producer or a writer in TV or film happens to come from a Jewish background doesn’t mean they understand their own community.

df's avatar

Hasbara running damage control in the comments sections.

Sophie's avatar

Valid counter-arguments disagreeing with the author? Must be Hasbara 🤣🙄

Lorelei's avatar

Zaid, I don’t know if you know this already, but it is WILDLY difficult to like or comment on your posts! I use substack on mobile browser and yours is the only subscription this happens with.

Now I think I understand why most of your comment sections are disproportionately criticism - people like me who want to say a simple thanks might get deterred by these speed bumps.

Thanks for writing this and other pieces! Please know that we’re out here appreciating you and just don’t want to spend 10+ minutes lost in a seemingly hopeless login loop!

Geoff Paterson's avatar

Good article, thank you for writing it.

Eliana's avatar

This is a beautifully written and deeply moral piece. Keep up the good work, Zaid!

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May 27, 2025
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df's avatar

You're literally a nazi

Teresa C's avatar

You literally do not know what a Nazi is.