reSee.it Video Transcript AI Summary
Ashwin Rutanski speaks from the UAE, referencing the Nakba anniversary (1948), ongoing Israeli oppression of Palestinians, and claims that NATO capitals provide money, weapons, and diplomatic protection for these actions, with Washington treating Israeli impunity as a cornerstone of foreign policy. He also notes G7 finance ministers meeting in Paris and asks about the Trump Netanyahu war on Iran, including questions about its justification and motivations.
Avi Schleim, Emeritus Professor of International Relations at the University of Oxford, says the Trump Netanyahu war on Iran is “unjustified, senseless, and foolish,” calling it unlawful and stating there was no Security Council resolution mandating war and no imminent threat from Iran to Israel or America. He argues the war was a decision by Trump and Netanyahu, with Netanyahu as the real architect, alleging Netanyahu dragged America into the conflict. Schleim connects the war’s consequences to suffering inflicted not only in Iran but also in Lebanon, alongside continued Gaza genocide and ethnic cleansing of the West Bank. He describes Israel as damaging America, America’s Gulf allies, international economy, and international law by dragging the U.S. into war.
Rutanski asks whether it is really about Netanyahu given claims that 93% of Israeli Jews supported bombing Iran. Schleim replies that it is not just Netanyahu, stating Israeli society has moved right for 25 years since the second Intifada, becoming more overtly racist, with growing influence of religious Zionism on foreign policy. He says war is easier to sell than peace because peacemaking requires concessions, while attacking enemies is more popular. Schleim argues Netanyahu persuades the Israeli public that Iran poses an existential threat, which he rejects, citing claims that Iran has not attacked neighbors, has signed the nonproliferation treaty and submitted to international inspection, while Israel has not signed it and refuses international inspection; he also contrasts Iran renouncing nuclear weapons with Israel’s alleged possession of about 200 nuclear warheads.
Rutanski asks whether Israel cares about reputational damage. Schleim says Israel cares mainly about American support, describing it as unconditional and therefore without consequences for Israel’s actions, including genocide in Gaza and intensified settler violence in the West Bank. He states that American backing has affected ceasefire interpretation and says Israel has devastated Lebanon—destroying whole villages in southern Lebanon, displacing 1,100,000 Lebanese refugees, and bombing civilian neighborhoods in Beirut, while targeting journalists and damaging hospitals and ambulances. He frames these actions as applying the Gaza “playbook” in southern Lebanon with immunity as long as the U.S. supports Israel.
Rutanski cites polls showing disapproval among U.S. voters of Netanyahu and belief by many that Israel is committing genocide. Schleim argues a disconnect exists between Western governments and the public, saying people can see genocide “livestream” and that Gaza has been made uninhabitable. He says Western foreign policy will take time to catch up but trends are toward increased criticism of Israel, including within the U.S. among younger Jewish people. He adds that criticism is spreading to Republicans who he says are turning against Trump over Israel.
Rutanski then asks Schleim about Britain’s role. Schleim says he is “absolutely appalled” by British complicity, citing a book by Peter Urban and describing actions including arms sales, intelligence flights over Gaza, and offering British bases in Cyprus and the UK for Israeli Air Force and U.S. supply for the Gaza war effort. He claims Britain has legal duties under the 1948 Genocide Convention to stop arms sales, stop buying Israeli military technology, and suspend the trade agreement, which he says Britain denies due to refusing to accept that Israel is committing genocide.
Rutanski asks why European countries are involved. Schleim answers by arguing the claim is questionable and stating the main supporter is America. He says European support since 1948 was influenced by Holocaust guilt and by perceptions of Israel as an island of democracy in the 1950s, later describing Israel as widely viewed now as authoritarian, racist, and apartheid, and arguing Israel has made itself an international pariah through occupation, oppression, constant violence, and never-ending war.
Rutanski mentions repression in the UK and asks whether those in power want to preserve support for Israel. Schleim says there is a powerful Israel lobby in Britain across both Conservative and Labour parties, and adds Germany’s repression is linked to Holocaust guilt. He discusses Palestine Action being designated as a terrorist organization, saying supporting it can lead to prison sentences of up to 14 years, while also describing a judicial review that found the prescription unlawful, followed by a government appeal. He then describes being asked to postpone a guest lecture at Liverpool Hope University, citing complaints from the local Jewish community about his presence on campus, which he says limited his academic freedom. He also claims mainstream media and the BBC fail to report Palestinian narratives, alleges BBC presenters are instructed to stop interviewees when genocide is mentioned, says he has not been interviewed on the BBC for two and a half years, and references his book “Genocide in Gaza,” which he says includes quotations from Israeli leaders.
The show ends with condolences mentioned by Rutanski for those bereaved or affected by “NATO nation wars of aggression,” including Gaza and the mass killing in the Donbas, and announces a new season starting June 6.