November 4, 2009

Dr. Moustafa Barghouti

Last week, Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" had two historic firsts. It was the first time a Palestinian legislator was a guest on the show, and it was the first time in the show's 11 year history that an audience member heckled the interviewee. Please contact "The Daily Show" today to thank Jon Stewart and his team for featuring Dr. Moustafa Barghouti and Anna Baltzer, who are important voices for peace and justice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

See the full interview here.

Submit a thank you note here.

"The Daily Show" is reportedly under fire from pro-Israeli groups for giving airtime to two pro-Palestinian voices.

Stewart hosted Palestinian democracy activist Mustafa Barghouti and human rights activist Anna Baltzer, author of "A Witness in Palestine," who explained the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from the perspective of the Palestinian side.

According to a letter reportedly written by Baltzer and circulated by blogger Eric Johnson, the show "was overwhelmed with angry emails and phone calls prior to the appearance, and up until the last minute it seemed like they might cancel."

"During the taping the show had its only heckler in 11 years," Baltzer wrote. "The entire staff were very nervous and may come to regret the monumental decision (and not make it again) as they will surely be inundated now that the show has aired."

At one point during the interview, Barghouti asserted: "We [Palestinians] are struggling for liberty, we are struggling for justice. It's Palestinians who have been subjected to the longest occupation in history and a system of segregation that is totally unjust."

At that point, a voice in the audience shouted: "Liar!"

Please take a moment now to thank The Daily Show team, and encourage them to continue featuring such important voices.