| But Israel's argument to support their continuous bombing of Gaza is the October 7th attack by Hamas. They say Hamas is a terrorist organization - thus the bombing is justified, but Shoman doesn't buy that. He's said before that they are freedom fighters, resisting Israel's occupation. And today, he made it clear that he doesn't condemn them.
Assad Shoman, Co-Organizer, March For Peace In Palestine
"The Israelis have ridden on a wave for decades. They have enjoyed impunity and immunity because of the world's good heart and feeling for those who suffered in the genocide. But one genocide does not justify another."
"And there are Jewish people. Israel is not a Jew. Remember that. Israel is not a Jew. Jewish people all over the world are up and saying that what the Israelis state is doing is not in their name. Not in our name, they say."
"Why? Because they know and we know that it's not Jews that is doing this. It's not Jews. We can't blame Jews for what is going on. If that were so, it would be terrible. You'd say, what? The Jews are killing so many children."
"No. It's not. It's a state. a Zionist state, an outlaw state, and now the Pope says a terrorist state."
Reporter
"Do you condemn Hamas?"
Assad Shoman
"Condemn for what? They are..."
Reporter
"The October 7th..."
Assad Shoman
"Let me tell you what is Hamas. Hamas..."
Reporter
"They're taking over 200 hostages."
Assad Shoman
"Do you condemn the Israeli defense force? Do you condemn them?"
Reporter
"Yes, everyone..."
Assad Shoman
"No, do you condemn them?"
Reporter
"I believe we condemn what's happening."
Reporter
"Yes, but also Hamas... We condemn Hamas. We condemn Hamas."
Assad Shoman
"I don't condemn Hamas. I don't condemn Hamas. No, I condemn the killing of innocent civilians. I do not condemn Hamas. I condemn an action. Do you condemn the United States Army where a lot of militias are serving, do you? And yet they went and massacred hundreds of thousands of people on a lie that they now admit is a lie. Iraq never had weapons of mass destruction, my brother, and you know it and I know it. But they went... and Belizeans belong to that army. Is that army, are you prepared to say now, loud and clear, that is a terrorist organization? Yes or no? Just answer. The U .S. Army, is it a terrorist organization?"
Reporter
"Oh Lord. We wouldn't call it that."
Assad Shoman
"Is it? You wouldn't call it that. So why call Hamas then?"
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