I could be wrong here, but I suspect the headline is another unfortunate example of Israeli Palestinian erasure.

When they say that this is widely supported across Israelis, they likely mean Israeli Jews.

It’s sad to see from the middle east eye. Obviously Israeli and American media promulgates the myth that to be Israeli means being Jewish. But I would hope that at least Arab media would constantly remind audiences that one in five Israeli citizens are Arabs living without meaningful political agency under a ruthless Apartheid regime.

I suspect they’re less enthusiastic about another ethnonationalist religious imperialist war of aggression. But it’s hard to know what they think, as I rarely see their preferences interrogated or reported on, except perhaps by +972 Magazine.

This article points out something I think a lot of Americans – particularly younger, educated ones – don’t know about: America has for a long time actually been a place people around the world dream about. That includes dreaming of coming here, either to study and return; to move here permanently; or just to emulate in their own countries.

I think most American millennials were told this, but as they learned that most of what they were told about our country – its fairness, commitment to justice, opportunities – were lies, they assumed the concept of the American dream abroad was another myth.

I think more people – particularly American leftists – should understand that despite so many other failings, the American mythology has some value. Rather than deride it as anither imperialist lie, we should recognize that it has had some truth to it in the past. And we should aspire to actually make it real in a way it has never quite been.

Respectfully, this is kind of incoherent. I can see that you disagree with the characterization of America’s poverty trap, but I didn’t really understand what part of the fundamental thesis of the article you dispute.

It’s unclear who this is directed at.

Ok. That sucks.

It seems like this is kind of a problem in Venezuela, what with both major parties appearing to participate in kidnapping the rival’s leader.

I don’t know quite what to do with this information other than oppose US involvement in Venezuela.

This article is very unclear. Why is the word kidnapped in quotes? Was he not kidnapped? Where is he? Was there a ransom? Why did the government respond by accusing him of violating his parole?

I do not understand what happened.

Ulgggghhhhhh

I try and read news through the lens of what can be done. Times like these offer painfully few answers.

I believe justice will one day come. But its pace is infuriating.

Why is this behind a paywall? Since when does the BBC have a paywall?

Wow that’s evil.

I feel like this comment section is primarily made up of dril and Ken M. tweets.

There are so many comments like the one you’re replying to that just make no sense except as absurdist humor.

You’re not even responding to anything I said. To repeat: you, me, and Weiwei are all on the same side. We’re all critics of the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights record. No one is engaging in whataboutery in this article.

You know what would be an absolute Chad move, here? I don’t think this is likely, but if anyone is reading this, take note:

You can just say, ‘That’s a good point: I didn’t read far enough to get important context and misunderstood. Thanks for the correction.’

That’s an option. I’ve absolutely misunderstood an article I didn’t fully read and had someone politely correct me. It’s okay and healthy to just own it.

No:

Whataboutism is when you defend bad behavior by trying to justify it based on other bad behavior. The whole point of the article is that Weiwei is pointing out failures in Europe in al the context of criticizing the behavior of the Chinese government. It’s literally the opposite of whataboutism.

The article explains pretty clearly that Weiwei is a critic of China’s human rights abuses, and has expanded their criticism to recognize the growing human rights abuses among China’s western critics, which has undermined global human rights and the ability of these nations to credibly pressure China to improve.

Again, I will say: respectfully, I suspect you did not click the link to the article before opining on it.

I don’t think you read the article.

Legit.

I genuinely believe that the most important steps any American who is concerned about human rights abuses in foreign countries can make is to remedy the flagrant human rights abuses they see at home.

Freedom and rights don’t really come from governments: they come from what people demand and the restrictions they impose on their leaders. So if you want safety for the Uygers, for instance, you don’t go reprimand Xi Jinping: you treat Muslims in your own country well, and you treat visiting Chinese nationals well, and popularize principles of a free society internationally through actions.

Weiwei is right: we need less talk, more action.

Yeah, the article sounds like it was written by the Onion.

Are they concerned that Trump is diminishing the credibility of the award? The one they invented to transparently flatter the things of this exact, specific egomaniacal madman?

Sure Jan.

You make a point that I don’t see often addressed:

If Denmark, Germany, and Co are serious, they’d be hitting way harder.

I honestly wouldn’t be at all surprised if this works, and European leaders just say, ‘Sorry folks! We really tried to stop him, but we just got outplayed again! He’s too good!’

Yes, 100%. That’s more than a red flag. A red flag is a warning sign of a problem. That’s just a problem.

I think this is a non event.

Mamdani has been publicly stating his opposition to the Israeli occupation for years. Israel’s government has been accusing him falsely of antisemitism since he became known. And the NY press has tried to rattle him over it since Israel began attempting to smear him, with no effect.

This is like holding a press conference to announce that the Berlin Wall has fallen. Yes. That was the state of affairs yesterday and the day before, and presumably will remain so tomorrow.

This isn’t something anyone needs to or will react to.

That’s what I said! Fifteen minutes isn’t far. But it’s no longer close.

About twelve.