‘You pontificate about free press’: Pro-Palestinian journalist lecture Biden govt as officers drag him out over Gaza query

The United States of America since long have been pontificating at other countries including India over the treatment of Journalists without having a thorough understanding of the internal matters of any country and respecting the country’s sovereign matters. But, rarely does the United States turn its eyes upon maintaining the same noble principles in its own land. Ironically, the very nation that advocates most fervently for freedom of speech is often the first to restrict it. 

At the latest, on the 16th of January, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s press briefing on Israel’s ongoing war with Gaza was disrupted when Pro-Palestinian journalist Sam Husseini loudly interrupted. The altercation occurred after Blinken was defending his handling of the 15-month-old conflict between Palestine and Israel. Sam Husseini, a vocal critic of US foreign policy, shouted, “Criminal… Why aren’t you in The Hague?” referring to the International Criminal Court located in The Hague, Netherlands.

Initially, Husseini questioned Blinken about Israel’s nuclear weapons and the Hannibal Directive. He also referenced the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and Amnesty International’s accusations against Israel. Feeling that his questions were disregarded, Husseini’s frustration led to his outburst.

The United States administration, which is notorious for passing sermons as if it is the moral police for the second and third world countries, was at the receiving end this time. The pro-Palestine journalist, Husseini kept on taunting Biden administration saying, “You keep on pontificating about free press”, as he tried to hold on to the table firmly to avoid getting thrown out of the room. Yet, he was forcibly removed by security personnel present there. “You’re hurting me,” Husseini repeatedly said as he was dragged out of the room. 

This interruption was one of several incidents during Blinken’s final press conference, where multiple journalists challenged him on the US’s role in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Sam Husseini who was doing nothing wrong but exercising his right of free speech got his right curtailed and was dragged out by the ones who never fail to lecture the world on free speech and human rights. 

There have been many instances where the right to free speech of individuals has been curtailed by the United States of America. Be it Edward Snowden, Julian Assange or Chelsea Mannings, all had to suffer hefty consequences for exercising free speech. 

Also Read: Suchir Balaji, Snowden, Assange; Whistleblowing is ‘fatal’ in US

Edward Snowden, a former CIA and NSA contractor who leaked classified documents in 2013 revealing extensive global surveillance programs operated by the U.S. and its allies had to face espionage charges. Snowden fled to Hong Kong and later Russia, where he was granted asylum and continued advocating for privacy rights.

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks who in 2010 released classified U.S. military documents revealing civilian casualties and abuses during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars too faced charges under the Espionage Act. Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy in London, where he remained for seven years before being arrested and eventually returning to Australia after years of legal battles.

Chelsea Manning, a U.S. Army intelligence analysts who leaked classified military documents in 2010, exposing prisoner abuse and civilian deaths had to suffer the same consequences. Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison. After serving seven years, she was granted clemency by President Obama in 2017.

Time and again the United States of America has proven its lack of sincerity to defend Free Speech by crushing the critical voices. In fact, till this incident, the pro-Palestinian rhetoric had been the soothing music to the ears of the Biden administration. However, the frustration has reached to such an extent that this time, they went against “their own” and the very journalist who had been fattened by the leftist cabal is giving them earful.