John Legend Says Israel Needs to Be Held to a “Higher Standard”: “What They’re Doing to the Palestinian People Is Not Fair”

Singer John Legend called for Israel to be held to a “higher standard” in a September 20 appearance on MSNBC, arguing that Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians is “not fair,” The Algemeiner reported.

Mehdi Hasan, host of “The Mehdi Hasan Show,” pointed out that Legend had tweeted “Palestinian Lives Matter” in May during the Israel-Hamas conflict and asked Legend how he became an advocate for Palestinian rights. Legend responded that he learned “what justice meant” through reading the works of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and writer James Baldwin.

“When I see what’s happening in Palestine, to the Palestinian people, where they’re clearly not being able to experience [the] full rights that they deserve, it’s an extremely unfair and difficult life they’re forced to live,” Legend said. “I had to say something. It’s not fair, it’s not just, and given that Israel is the recipient of so much American aid and support and named as one of our strongest allies, we should hold them to a higher standard, and what they’re doing with the Palestinian people is not fair and it shouldn’t be done in our name and with our resources contributing to it.”

"I had to say something. It's not fair," @JohnLegend tells @MehdiRHasan why he spoke out in support of the Palestinian people. "They're clearly not being able to experience full rights that they deserve … We should hold [Israel] to a higher standard.” pic.twitter.com/HAryspSZdS

— The Mehdi Hasan Show (@MehdiHasanShow) September 20, 2021

Some Jewish groups criticized Legend for his remark. Stop Antisemitism tweeted to Legend that “Egypt is the recipient of nearly the same amount of aid as Israel and controls Gaza’s southern border. Why are you speaking only of Israel and ignoring Egypt??”

They added in a follow-up tweet: “Why did @johnlegend make no mention of the 4500 terror rockets blast into Israel in 11 days from Gaza?  Those rockets were also made ‘in your name’ and with your tax dollars.  Again why is your grievance only with Israel?”

Mehdi’s obsession with the Jewish nation continues to be off the charts.

PS @johnlegend – Egypt is the recipient of nearly the same amount of aid as Israel and controls Gaza’s southern border. Why are you speaking only of Israel and ignoring Egypt?? pic.twitter.com/mX4GY88bwW

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) September 20, 2021

Why did @johnlegend make no mention of the 4500 terror rockets blast into Israel in 11 days from Gaza? 

Those rockets were also made “in your name” and with your tax dollars. 

Again why is your grievance only with Israel?

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) September 20, 2021

B’nai Brith International similarly tweeted that they were “disappointed” with Legend’s remarks.

“Legend falsely accuses #Israel of ‘unjust’ treatment of Palestinians, while failing to mention the Hamas terror threats Israelis face every day,” they wrote. “We urge Legend to apologize for his anti-Semitic remarks.”

Disappointed by @johnlegend using his platform to spread lies about Israel.

Legend falsely accuses #Israel of 'unjust' treatment of Palestinians, while failing to mention the Hamas terror threats Israelis face every day.

We urge Legend to apologize for his anti-Semitic remarks. https://t.co/IX671gXrOu

— B'nai B'rith Intl. (@BnaiBrith) September 21, 2021

On the other hand, Jewish Voice for Peace, an organization that supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, tweeted in support of Legend. They argued that he was “speaking out for Palestinian rights and the need for the US to finally hold Israel accountable.”

"What [Israel] is doing with the Palestinian people is not fair and it shouldn't be done in our name and with our resources contributing to it" @johnlegend with @mehdirhasan, speaking out for Palestinian rights and the need for the US to finally hold Israel accountable. https://t.co/s3zWDdsON1

— Jewish Voice for Peace Action (@JvpAction) September 20, 2021

Hanan Ashrawi, former member of the Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee, similarly tweeted that Legend’s comments took “courage, empathy, & moral clarity.”

It takes courage, empathy, & moral clarity. #FreePalestine. https://t.co/0SpakNqd7R

— Hanan Ashrawi (@DrHananAshrawi) September 20, 2021