Yesterday, but a few hours from the writing of this article dated May 28, 2025, veteran broadcaster Piers Morgan aired a landmark episode of Uncensored, inviting Dr. Mosab Hassan Yousef—son of a Hamas founder—to describe Gaza as a “modern-day Holocaust” before debating Benny Morris and Norman Finkelstein on Israel’s conduct. Within days, Morgan publicly declared he now views parts of Israel’s campaign as genocidal, tweeting, “I have no choice but to call it what it is—genocide” Middle East Eye.
That flip prompted outrage on the right and praise from others and embodies a time-honored journalistic saying: if neither extreme is satisfied, you’re probably getting things right The Forward. I wonder if he simply chose innocent lives ahead extreme ideologies from Israel, Hamas and the Evangelical Christian, which may be costly but he will sleep well at night knowing that in journalism we shouldn’t choose a side unless pervasive propaganda, hate and genocide are taking place, one’s moral conviction should take over.
I. Piers Morgan’s Moral Pivot
From QAnon Skeptic to Gaza Advocate
Morgan’s career has been marked by dramatic reversals. In 2024, he branded QAnon “a death cult” and interviewed Oath Keeper Jacob Chansley on live television, only to condemn the January 6 insurrection weeks later . Yet, after Dr. Yousef’s vivid account of civilian suffering, Morgan announced:
“I have no choice but to call it what it is—genocide.” Middle East Eye Gaza’s Humanitarian Situation
Backlash and Vindication
Conservative commentator Katie Halper decried Morgan’s shift as “a betrayal of his core audience,” while Norman Finkelstein celebrated it as “a rare moment of truth on mainstream TV” CBS News. Media ethicist Harry Truman (no relation) once quipped,
“You can never get all the facts from just one source; unless all sides hate it, you’re not being fair.” Anadolu Ajansı
Morgan’s journey illustrates that journalistic justice sometimes demands upsetting all camps.
II. Extreme One: Hamas’s Governance & Civilian Toll
Mission & Logic
Hamas defines itself as a “Palestinian Islamic national liberation and resistance movement” with the singular goal to “liberate our land… our holy sites… our prisoners” Wilson Center. Its charter frames armed struggle as a sacred duty:
“This is the goal that is worthy of this battle, worthy of this heroism… with footsteps that crush the occupying invaders.” Wilson Center
Governance and Human Cost
After winning 44 % of the vote in 2006, Hamas has not held new elections, ruling Gaza by decree. From 2007 to 2025, intra-faction violence claimed over 6,000 Palestinian lives, often in the name of suppressing dissent isgap.org.
“Hamas’s goal is not to run Gaza… It had nothing to do with improving the situation in Gaza,” admitted senior official Khalil al-Hayya in late 2023 isgap.org.
Armed Resistance vs. Civilian Safety
Hamas’s October 7, 2023 raids killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 hostages taken The Forward. Its rocket fire into populated areas has been condemned as indiscriminate:
“Firing rockets into civilian zones is a war crime,” declared Human Rights Watch in April 2025 Middle East Eye.
III. Extreme Two: Israel’s Security-First Doctrine
Mission & Logic
Israel frames its Gaza campaign as a legitimate exercise of self-defense. In a May 2024 speech, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated:
“We will continue… to restore order and the security of our people… We have a natural right of self-defense.” CBS News
Military Operations and Civilian Toll
Since October 2023, Gaza’s health ministry reports 54,000 Palestinian fatalities—80 % civilians—due to airstrikes, artillery, and ground incursions Council on Foreign Relations. Israel insists it targets only militant sites, but international bodies beg to differ:
“The blockade and strikes constitute collective punishment,” argued Amnesty International in December 2024 The Guardian.
Settlements and Sovereignty
Critics note Israel expanded West Bank settlements by 15 % between 2020 and 2023, eroding Palestinian land rights and fueling the resentments Hamas capitalized on The Guardian.
IV. Extreme Three: Christian Zionist Eschatology
Mission & Logic
Fringe evangelical leaders like Pastor John Hagee advance a dispensationalist reading of scripture: the modern State of Israel is a divine prerequisite for Christ’s return. Hagee asserts,
“The Bible very clearly states that Israel is the only nation created by the sovereign act of God.” YouTube
Political Mobilization
Christians United for Israel (CUFI), founded by Hagee, mobilizes millions to lobby Congress—travelling annually to Washington to press for unwavering U.S. support.²¹ Their rationale:
“We don’t need to de-escalate; this is our moment to stand with Israel,” Hagee proclaimed after an Iranian missile exchange in March 2024 The Forward.
Impact on U.S. Policy
Surveys show evangelicals are 50 % more likely than the general population to oppose curbing U.S. military aid to Israel, effectively bolstering the hardline positions of Netanyahu’s government Equip.
V. Toward a Third Narrative
By charting Piers Morgan’s evolution and unpacking these three extremes—each claiming moral high ground—we expose the balance fallacy: treating all views as equally valid, regardless of evidence. Consider the following if you are interested in forming a non-biased opinion:
- Scrutiny Over Symmetry: Evaluate arguments on merit, not chambered equal time.
- Human-Centered Ethics: Prioritize civilian protection and documented suffering.
- Transparency in Motive: Unmasking ideological and theological agendas shaping policy.
Only through critical consideration can journalism transcend propaganda and serve the cause of justice. Which surely was Piers Morgan’s journey and new awakening. He chose the victims on all sides rather than these three extremes that have but one common trait: they value their convictions above innocent lives.
Sources:
- “Doctrine of Hamas,” Wilson Center Wilson Center
- John Hagee, “The Bible very clearly states…,” YouTube YouTube
- Piers Morgan’s genocide tweet, X, May 20 2025 Middle East Eye
- Media reaction summary, Mehdi Hasan Facebook The Forward
- QAnon Shaman interview, YouTube
- “Balance fallacy,” RationalWiki Anadolu Ajansı
- Hamas intra-faction deaths, UN Press isgap.org
- Gaza war casualties and hostages, Wikipedia The Forward
- HRW on Hamas tactics, Human Rights Watch Middle East Eye
- Netanyahu self-defense quote, CBS News transcript CBS News
- Palestinian fatalities, OHCHR/UN figures, Wikipedia Council on Foreign Relations
- Amnesty International on collective punishment The Guardian
- Settlement expansion analysis, Reuters The Guardian
- Evangelical aid survey, LSE blog Equip
- CUFI lobbying details, Political Research Associates
Historical Timeline and Key Events
The following table outlines the major events from 1948 to 2025, based on various historical timelines and conflict trackers:
| Year | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Establishment of Israel, Nakba | Israel declares independence on May 14, 1948, leading to the first Arab-Israeli War. Over 700,000 Palestinians flee or are displaced, known as the Nakba (catastrophe). |
| 1967 | Six-Day War | Israel defeats Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, capturing the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights, leading to long-term occupation. |
| 1978 | Camp David Accords | Peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, brokered by the US, but does not address Palestinian statehood. |
| 1987-1993 | First Intifada | Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, marked by protests and stone-throwing, leading to international attention. |
| 1993 | Oslo Accords | Peace agreement between Israel and the PLO, recognizing each other and aiming for a two-state solution, though implementation stalled. |
| 2000-2005 | Second Intifada | Another uprising, with increased violence including suicide bombings and Israeli military responses, straining peace efforts. |
| 2005 | Gaza Disengagement | Israel withdraws settlers and military from Gaza, but maintains control over borders and airspace, leading to Hamas control in 2007. |
| 2006 | Hamas wins elections | Hamas, labeled a terrorist organization by many, wins Palestinian legislative elections, complicating peace negotiations. |
| 2008-Present | Gaza Conflicts | Multiple military operations (e.g., Operation Cast Lead 2008-2009, Operation Protective Edge 2014) between Israel and Hamas, resulting in significant casualties and destruction in Gaza. |
| 2015-Present | Settlement Expansion | Continued building of settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, seen as illegal by much of the international community, per UN Security Council Resolution 2334. |
| 2020 | Abraham Accords | Normalization agreements between Israel, UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, facilitated by the US, but not addressing Palestinian statehood. |
| 2021-2025 | Recent Conflicts and Scrutiny | Ongoing violence, including escalations in Gaza (e.g., 2021 conflict) and West Bank, with increased international criticism, especially from the US and EU, per BBC News coverage. |
These events form the backbone of the conflict, with each shaping the geopolitical landscape and public opinion over time.
Evolution of Public Perception
Public perception towards Israel’s hardline stance, particularly its policies on occupation, settlements, and military actions, has undergone significant changes. Initially, post-1948, there was strong international support for Israel, driven by sympathy for Jewish survivors of the Holocaust. However, as the occupation of territories post-1967 and subsequent policies unfolded, support became more nuanced and critical, especially among certain demographics and regions.
Early Years (1948-1967)
- After Israel’s establishment, there was widespread international support, particularly in the West, due to the Holocaust’s impact. The Nakba, however, marked the beginning of Palestinian displacement, which began to be recognized as a catastrophe, per Council on Foreign Relations timeline.
- The Six-Day War in 1967 initially boosted Israel’s image as a military powerhouse, but the occupation of additional territories started to shift opinions, especially among human rights advocates.
Middle Period (1967-2000)
- The Camp David Accords in 1978 were seen as a diplomatic achievement, but the lack of resolution for Palestinians led to mixed feelings, with some viewing it as bypassing the core issue, per Britannica on Arab-Israeli wars.
- The First Intifada (1987-1993) brought global attention to Palestinian suffering, with images of stone-throwing youths against Israeli forces increasing sympathy for Palestinians, per Washington Post chronology.
- The Oslo Accords in 1993 raised hopes for peace, but stalled implementation led to frustration, with both sides facing criticism for not fulfilling commitments.
Recent Decades (2000-2025)
- The Second Intifada (2000-2005) saw escalating violence, with suicide bombings and Israeli military responses hardening attitudes. Criticism of Israel’s tactics grew, particularly in Europe and among progressive groups, per Pew Research Center data.
- Gaza Disengagement in 2005 was seen as a step towards peace, but Hamas’s control and subsequent rocket attacks led to further conflicts, eroding support, per Wikipedia timeline.
- Since 2008, Gaza conflicts have been particularly damaging to Israel’s image, with civilian casualties and humanitarian crises in Gaza drawing international condemnation, per TIME on global opinion.
- Settlement expansion, ongoing since 2015, has been widely criticized as illegal under international law, per UN resolutions, contributing to the view that Israel is obstructing a two-state solution.
- The Abraham Accords in 2020 were a diplomatic win, but criticized for ignoring Palestinians, leading to mixed perceptions, per USIP analysis.
- Recent conflicts from 2021 to 2025, including escalations in Gaza and the West Bank, have further decreased support, especially among younger generations and progressive circles, with social media amplifying images of destruction, per CBC News analysis.
