Nick Ferrari abruptly terminated his interview with Green Party activist Ashok Kumar on Tuesday (6 October) by cutting off the call mid-conversation. The clash came as Ferrari pressed Kumar on the 'Zionism is Racism' motion, which had been unveiled at the Green Party conference on Saturday (3 October).
Ferrari presses Kumar on the motion
During the exchange, Ferrari asked: "So, if you can't be a Zionist, and if you don't believe in a country for Jewish people, what is the future of Israel?" Kumar responded: "Well, this motion's actually about supporting the liberation of Palestine from Israel."
"No, this motion is describing zionism as racism," Ferrari shot back, as Kumar said: "Well, that's the title of it."
Kumar defends the policy
The presenter demanded once more: "Mr Kumar, what is the future of Israel?" Kumar replied: "The future of Israel is a country not based on ethnic cleansing and genocide; a country based on equality and justice."
Ferrari remarked: "You've got four of your own five MPs expressing concern. You've got some Jewish members expressing concern. Are you convinced that you think you and your colleagues have got this one right?"
Kumar declared: "We got this absolutely right. We believe that there's something fundamentally racist, reactionary and chauvinistic about an ideology that requires the dispossession of an indigenous population."
Call terminated
Ferrari said: "Right, but you have to drive the Jewish people out of Israel," as Kumar replied: "No, those are your words. You haven't asked a single question, Nick, about what happens to Palestinians, and that's very reflective. It's interesting. This entire motion, it's not about Jews, it's about Palestinians."
Ferrari fumed: "When it's your breakfast show, you can ask the questions. Currently, it's mine," as Kumar said: "I'm allowed to respond." The presenter responded: "My dear, I've had far better people than you critique my journalism. I'm not going to take it from you. Just answer the question if you would. Where are those Jewish and Israeli people to go?"
As Kumar countered that the question should be: "Where do the Palestinians go?" Ferrari terminated the call. "Okay, we've tried. Nice speaking with Ashok Kumar, declining to answer that question."
