Following are excerpts from a debate between Lebanese intellectuals Yasser Qechlaq and 'Uqab Saqr, which aired on ANB TV on February 16, 2009.
To view this MEMRI TV clip, visit http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/2038.htm.
TO VIEW THIS CLIP AND OTHERS, YOU MUST LOG IN/REGISTER FOR MEMRI TV, AT http://subscriptions.memri.org/content/en/member_registr_tv.htm. REGISTRATION IS FREE OF CHARGE.
"I Refuse to Acknowledge Any Jew... as a Human Being... He Is an Abject, Filthy, And Usurping Terrorist"
Yasser Qechlaq, owner of dp-news.com: "We are facing a society that believes in nothing but force, violence, crimes, and the killing of our children and women."
'Uqab Saqr: "They also believe in rationality."
Yasser Qechlaq: "Hold on. I refuse to acknowledge any Jew, whoever he may be. I do not acknowledge his holy books or holy places, nor do I acknowledge this Jew as a human being. I acknowledge just one thing: That he is an abject, filthy, and usurping terrorist, and I curse him..."
'Uqab Saqr: "This serves Israel..."
Yasser Qechlaq: "No, no..."
"This Kind Of Talk Serves Israel - There Are Jews Who Defend the Palestinian Cause More Than Some Palestinians"
'Uqab Saqr: "This kind of talk serves Israel. There are Jews who defend the Palestinian cause more than some Palestinians."
Yasser Qechlaq: "I refuse to acknowledge any Jew in the world, because he refuses to acknowledge my existence as a Palestinian."
'Uqab Saqr: "Neturei Karta is the most important Jewish group and they do not recognize Israel."
Yasser Qechlaq: "Give me a break. Just because some Jewish activists do not recognize Israel, you want to convince me that there is a moderate camp to make peace with?"
'Uqab Saqr: "All I ask is that you draw a distinction between the Jews and the Israelis."
"I Am A Palestinian Extremist... Israel is a European-American Project... Planted In My Region; This Cancer Must Be Uprooted... America is the No. 1 Dictatorship"
Yasser Qechlaq: "I do not acknowledge the Jewish religion. I am a Palestinian extremist. I am an extremist for my land."
[...]
'Uqab Saqr: "The Koran respects the monotheistic religions."
Yasser Qechlaq: "Nevertheless, I do not acknowledge [them]."
'Uqab Saqr: "You are doing Israel a service without realizing it.
[...]
"When it’s a case of Muslims against Jews, the Jews win Western public opinion, whereas when it’s a case if Palestinians and Israelis, the West supports the Palestinians."
Yasser Qechlaq: 'You tell me that we should embarrass Israel. Do you think Israel can be embarrassed in the West? Israel humiliates France, the EU, and America. Israel is a European-American project which was planted in my region. This cancer must be uprooted.
[...]
"America is the number one dictatorship in the world. Look at the torture in their prisons. Where are human rights?"
'Uqab Saqr: "Who are they doing all this to?"
Yasser Qechlaq: "To us."
'Uqab Saqr: "Give me a break. If only we would treat our own people..."
Yasser Qechlaq: "Why should we borrow these concepts from them? They export democracy to us. You criticized Muntazer Al-Zaidi for throwing his shoes at this democracy..."
'Uqab Saqr: "I wasn’t criticizing. I merely said that in America..."
Yasser Qechlaq: "You criticized this shoe, which is a manifestation of this failed democracy. I welcome any dictatorship that allows me to wage resistance, in order to restore my rights and my honor. I welcome any dictatorship in the world."
"If You Establish A 'Dictatorship' Like Israel Or America Here - I Will Kiss Your Hands"
'Uqab Saqr: "It is ridiculous that we call America a dictatorship because of Abu Ghuraib. In the Arab world, there are 100,000 Abu Ghuraibs, which the rulers use against their own peoples.
[...]
"I hope that all Arab regimes, starting with our Syrian neighbor, will treat their peoples like Israel and America treat their own peoples. If you establish a 'dictatorship' like Israel or America here, I will kiss your hands. "
Yasser Qechlaq: "We don't want it."
'Uqab Saqr: "Maybe you don't want it, but I do." [...]
Al-Qaeda Is "A Jewish Organization with Jewish Roots And Culture"
Yasser Qechlaq: "If you go to America and defend Al-Qaeda, even though it is a Jewish organization with Jewish roots and culture... If you defend it, you will go to jail."
'Uqab Saqr: "You will be treated according to the law. You might go to jail, but at least your family will know where you are."
