Talk TV presenter Julia lambasted for racist interview with Palestinian MP

British radio presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer has been slammed on social media for an unprofessional and racist interview after a clip from her show went viral.

During an interview on Wednesday with Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, Hartley-Brewer raised her voice while he was speaking to say he was “not used to women talking” and disrespectfully spoke to him throughout the interview.

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While Julia’s tone was aggressive and harsh, Dr Barghouti kept his tone calm and listened to her patiently, winning over the hearts of netizens with his courtesy.

In the clip, Julia can be seen aggressively counter-arguing, not letting him speak, and using the rhetoric of telling Muslim men that they are not used to hearing women.

Barghouti was interrupted several times by the journalist, who prevented him from finishing his remarks on Benjamin Netanyahu and the moral imperative of supporting Palestinians’ struggle for a dignified life in their homeland.

“Please don’t say that again, we don’t have time for that, you’ve made that point five times already,” she said in one instance.

When Barghouti attempted to respond, she screamed, saying: “For the love of god, let me finish a sentence man.”

She then made a sexist accusation: “Maybe you’re not used to women talking, I don’t know, but I’d like to finish the sentence!”

Barghouti remained calm during the interview while stressing that the journalist has been attempting to “mislead the public.”

In response, the presenter raised her voice again: ‘If you don’t think Israel’s reaction is acceptable, what would have been an acceptable reaction to you? You’ve got ten seconds left.”

The Palestinian politician then replied calmly, calling for ending the occupation and oppression of Palestinians to allow peace to prevail for both people.
Seemingly unsatisfied with the reply, the presenter sarcastically responded: “Brilliant.”

Hartley-Brewer’s haughty attitude throughout the interview has been heavily criticized, with many pointing out that the show was a display of Islamophobia.

Social media user Nadene commented that Julia is an utter disgrace in this interview, showcasing Islamophobic tropes 101.

Julia Hartley-Brewer is an utter disgrace in this interview.

‘Maybe you’re not used to women talking?’ Islamophobic tropes 101. https://t.co/hU9oe6vBjQ

— Nadene (@nadeneghouri) January 5, 2024

Another pointed out that she is using imagined sexism to hide her racism.

“Maybe you’re not used to women talking!”

Casual racist micro aggression towards Arab/Muslim men. What an awful and patronising comment and a terrible way to reinforce sexism towards women in Arab and Muslim communities.

Gutter journalism from @JuliaHB1 https://t.co/x22YWc0Gvs

— arya (@aryafah) January 5, 2024

Dima Khatib wrote, “Journalism is committing suicide after this interview.”

Journalism is committing suicide after this interview pic.twitter.com/fYYF1TUoUx

— Dima Khatib (@Dima_Khatib) January 5, 2024

Sana Saeed posted, “What an absolutely disgusting, racist display of whatever “journalism” this is supposed to be.”

“Maybe you’re not used to women talking!”

What an absolutely disgusting, racist display of whatever “journalism” this is supposed to be. Her explicit contempt for Arab/Muslim men is indicative of how many/most journalists like her – esp white women – engage with Palestinians. https://t.co/wlto4XVPHM

— Sana Saeed (@SanaSaeed) January 5, 2024

Bisan poured her heart out and said that after this I have discovered that Western media is a lie.

Maryam Alkhawaja lamented that not only are Palestinians being subjected to a genocide, they also have to put up with being dehumanized and insulted.

“Maybe you’re not used to women talking”

The gall, the audacity, the racism. You don’t need to know Dr. @MustafaBarghoti to know how messed up this is.

Not only are Palestinians being subjected to a genocide, they also have to put up with being dehumanized and insulted… https://t.co/CyMp9iCnOB

— Maryam Alkhawaja (@MARYAMALKHAWAJA) January 5, 2024