Jon Stewart Interrogates America's Support of Israel & 2024 Solar Eclipse Mania | The Daily Show

The Daily Show
8 Apr 202413:47

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses a solar eclipse and its metaphorical comparison to a toxic relationship, while also touching on the policy failures and potential security risks at the Southern border. It further delves into the political and social commentary on current events, including the situation in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, and the role of the United States in international conflicts. The script criticizes the lack of decisive action and the use of language in political discourse, advocating for a more just and compassionate approach to global issues.

Takeaways

  • ๐ŸŒ A rare celestial event, the solar eclipse, occurred, marking a significant day for many.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฐ The media linked the eclipse to various issues, including immigration policy and geopolitical tensions.
  • ๐ŸŒž The solar eclipse's path of totality crossed the Southern border, raising concerns about increased illegal activities.
  • ๐Ÿค” Some individuals, like Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, interpreted the eclipse as a divine sign.
  • ๐Ÿ™ The concept of divine messaging was questioned, with skepticism towards interpretations of God's will.
  • ๐ŸŒ The war in Gaza was highlighted as ongoing, with the situation being six months old at the time of the transcript.
  • ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ The importance of a rules-based international order was emphasized, with criticism towards actions seen as brute force.
  • ๐Ÿฅฆ The issue of weaponizing food was discussed, with examples given regarding Russia and Ukraine, and the potential implications for Gaza.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฐ Concerns were raised about the safety and freedom of the press, both in Russia and in regions like Gaza and the West Bank.
  • ๐Ÿž๏ธ The Israeli government's land appropriation in the West Bank was noted as a significant development.
  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ The United States' approach towards Israel was scrutinized, with suggestions that a more just and less cruel strategy is needed.

Q & A

  • What major celestial event is being referred to in the transcript?

    -The major celestial event being referred to is a solar eclipse, where the moon covers the sun for nearly four minutes, creating a path of totality.

  • How does the transcript describe the relationship between the sun and the moon?

    -The transcript humorously describes the relationship between the sun and the moon as a 'textbook toxic relationship', with the two celestial bodies only interacting during an eclipse and otherwise 'ignoring each other'.

  • What potential security concerns are raised in relation to the solar eclipse at the Southern border?

    -The transcript raises concerns that the darkness caused by the solar eclipse might provide an opportunity for smugglers, cartels, and migrants to increase their activities, leading to higher traffic than usual in the path of totality.

  • What is the political figure's interpretation of the solar eclipse and the earthquake mentioned in the transcript?

    -Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted that the earthquake and the solar eclipse are signs from God that Americans need to repent.

  • What is the host's response to the interpretation of the solar eclipse and earthquake as divine messages?

    -The host questions the logic behind interpreting natural phenomena as divine messages, questioning the specificity of such signs and the assumption that they are meant to communicate a need for repentance.

  • What is the special edition food item mentioned in the transcript related to the solar eclipse?

    -The special edition food item mentioned is a solar eclipse donut from Krispy Kreme, which was enjoyed by one of the speakers during the event.

  • What is the significance of the 'moral dance' performed in the transcript?

    -The 'moral dance' is a symbolic performance meant to represent the daily effort to hide complicity in the world's atrocities, using the eclipse as a metaphor for ignoring global issues.

  • What is the main issue discussed in relation to the war in Gaza?

    -The main issue discussed is the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in a large number of casualties, including children, and the potential for the situation to escalate further.

  • What is the U.S. government's stance on the Israeli government's land appropriation in the West Bank?

    -The U.S. government expresses concern and disapproval of the Israeli government's action of declaring state land in the occupied West Bank, considering it a challenge to international law and a potential obstacle to peace.

  • How does the transcript characterize the U.S. government's approach to urging precision in Israeli military actions?

    -The transcript characterizes the U.S. government's approach as repetitive and ineffectual, with constant urging for precision and care in targeting, but with little apparent impact on the situation on the ground.

  • What is the proposed alternative to the current U.S. approach towards Israel?

    -The proposed alternative is a new approach that emphasizes justice and reduces cruelty, suggesting a shift in U.S. policy to encourage more responsible and effective actions from Israel in addressing the conflict with Gaza.

Outlines

00:00

๐ŸŒ Eclipse and Immigration Concerns

The first paragraph discusses the occurrence of a solar eclipse and its metaphorical comparison to a toxic relationship between the sun and the moon. It then transitions into a discussion on how the event is being exploited in the news, particularly by Fox News, to highlight potential security risks at the Southern border due to increased traffic during the eclipse. The paragraph also touches on the absurdity of linking natural phenomena to immigration issues and the fear-mongering tactics used by certain media outlets. Additionally, it satirizes the notion of interpreting divine messages from such events, as exemplified by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's tweet linking the eclipse and an earthquake to a call for repentance.

05:04

๐Ÿ’ƒ The Dance of Complicity and Gaza Crisis

The second paragraph starts with a playful song about the eclipse, but quickly turns serious to address the ongoing war in Gaza, now six months old. It criticizes the moral dance people perform to ignore global atrocities and highlights the contrast between the joy of the eclipse and the suffering in Gaza. The paragraph further discusses the complexity of the American government's stance on international conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza, and the inconsistency in its response to the rule of law when it comes to land appropriation by different countries. It points out the recent Israeli declaration of state land in the occupied West Bank, the largest since the Oslo Accords in 1993, questioning America's commitment to its stated values and its reluctance to confront Israel directly for its actions.

10:06

๐Ÿค” Verbal Gymnastics and the Gaza Tragedy

The third paragraph focuses on the verbal gymnastics the American government must perform to maintain its relationship with Israel, despite the latter's actions that seem to challenge American principles. It questions whether Israel is willfully provoking the U.S. by accepting challenges to American statements of disapproval. The paragraph brings attention to the tragic death toll in Gaza since the war began, with a significant number of children among the casualties. It criticizes the U.S.'s repeated but seemingly ineffective calls for precision and care in Israel's military actions. The paragraph ends with a call for America to find a new approach in its relationship with Israel, emphasizing the need for justice and a reduction in cruelty, especially in light of the ongoing horror in Gaza and the potential for a significant weapons deal between the U.S. and Israel.

Mindmap

Keywords

๐Ÿ’กeclipse

An eclipse is an astronomical event that occurs when one celestial body moves into the shadow of another. In the context of the video, a solar eclipse is mentioned, where the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow that leads to a temporary 'darkening' of the sky. This event is used metaphorically to discuss various issues, including political and social concerns.

๐Ÿ’กtoxic relationship

A toxic relationship is a term used to describe a harmful, dysfunctional, and often abusive interaction between individuals. In the video, this term is metaphorically applied to the cyclical pattern of events, such as the eclipse, to illustrate the repetitive and self-destructive nature of certain situations, including political and social issues.

๐Ÿ’กpolicy failure

Policy failure refers to the inability of a government or organization to effectively address issues or achieve desired outcomes through its policies. In the video, this term is used to critique the handling of certain situations, such as immigration and border control, suggesting that the current policies are not effective and lead to increased risks and challenges.

๐Ÿ’กsmugglers and cartels

Smugglers and cartels are criminal organizations involved in illegal activities such as the trafficking of goods or people. In the context of the video, these groups are mentioned as potential beneficiaries of the eclipse, using the darkness as cover for their illicit operations. This highlights concerns about security and enforcement in certain areas.

๐Ÿ’กGod

In the video, references to 'God' are used to discuss the theological interpretations of natural phenomena, such as the solar eclipse and earthquakes. The term is employed to explore the beliefs and reactions of individuals and groups who see divine messages or signs in such events, often reflecting on the moral or spiritual implications.

๐Ÿ’กrepentance

Repentance is the act of feeling, showing, or expressing remorse or regret for one's actions, with the hope for forgiveness and a commitment to change. In the video, the concept of repentance is discussed in a religious context, as well as metaphorically in relation to societal and political issues, suggesting a need for reflection and improvement.

๐Ÿ’กatrocities

Atrocities are extremely wicked or cruel acts, typically involving violence or brutality. In the video, the term is used to describe the severe human rights violations and suffering occurring in areas of conflict, such as Gaza. The discussion of atrocities serves to critique the international response and highlight the urgency of addressing these issues.

๐Ÿ’กrules-based order

A rules-based order refers to a system of international relations where countries abide by a set of agreed-upon rules, laws, and norms to ensure stability and cooperation. In the video, this concept is contrasted with governance by brute force, highlighting the importance of upholding international laws and principles in resolving conflicts and maintaining global peace.

๐Ÿ’กbrute force

Brute force refers to the use of overwhelming power or violence to achieve one's goals, often without regard for the well-being of others or adherence to rules and norms. In the video, this term is used to describe actions taken by certain nations or groups that disregard international laws and the welfare of others, leading to conflict and suffering.

๐Ÿ’กfree press

A free press refers to a media system that operates independently and without government control or censorship, allowing for the open exchange of information and ideas. In the video, the importance of a free press is emphasized, and concerns are raised about the repression of journalists and media outlets in certain regions, which undermines democratic values and the public's right to information.

๐Ÿ’กland appropriation

Land appropriation is the act of taking control of land, often by a government or powerful entity, for various purposes, sometimes without the consent of the original inhabitants or owners. In the video, this term is used to discuss the controversial actions of the Israeli government in declaring state land in the occupied West Bank, which raises concerns about international law and the potential for escalating tensions.

Highlights

The world experienced a major celestial event with an eclipse, which has been anticipated for centuries.

The eclipse's path of totality affected the Southern border, raising concerns about increased illegal activities.

Fox News linked the celestial event to immigration issues, suggesting an uptick in smuggling and border crossings during the eclipse.

Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene's tweet suggesting the eclipse and earthquake are divine signs was critiqued.

The concept of divine messaging was questioned, with a humorous take on how God might communicate through natural disasters.

Despite the eclipse's grandeur, there was a call for awareness of ongoing global issues, such as the situation in Gaza.

The special edition solar eclipse donut from Krispy Kreme was mentioned as a light-hearted moment amidst serious discussions.

A performance art piece through dance was used to symbolize the world's complicity in global atrocities.

The war in Gaza reached its six-month mark, prompting a discussion on the ongoing conflict and its implications.

The US's stance on international law and aggression was examined, particularly in relation to Russia and Ukraine.

The Israeli government's land appropriation in the West Bank was scrutinized as a potential violation of international law.

The US's response to the Israeli actions, described as verbal gymnastics, was criticized for its lack of directness.

The tragic death toll in Gaza since the war began was acknowledged, with a call for more precise military actions.

The US's continuous urging for precision in Israeli military actions was highlighted, with a comedic take on the repetitive language used.

The idea that America's approach to Israel needs a shift towards more justice and less cruelty was proposed.

A potential new US-Israel weapons deal was mentioned, raising concerns about the timing and message it sends.

The transcript ends with a call for America to reevaluate its relationship with Israel in light of recent events and the ongoing conflict.

Transcripts

00:00

The big news today, the world ended!

00:06

I think.

00:07

Are we even, are we still on?

00:08

I don't know.

00:10

There was an eclipse.

00:12

It happened.

00:13

The sun and the moon did the thing

00:16

that everyone's been saying they were

00:18

going to do for centuries now.

00:19

The path got totality and now both planets

00:24

will go back to years of ignoring each other,

00:26

before they inevitably hook up again.

00:32

Textbook toxic relationship.

00:33

But not everyone was happy about today's

00:36

celestial seasonings.

00:39

For danger lurks.

00:42

A Fox News Alert.

00:43

A rare celestial event collides with a policy

00:45

failure on the ground.

00:47

The Southern border will be directly

00:49

in the path of totality today when the moon covers the sun

00:52

for nearly four minutes.

00:54

We are told that officials are bracing

00:55

for higher traffic than usual.

00:57

And that means a real opportunity

00:59

for smugglers and cartels and migrants to come right in.

01:08

Or they could just wait till nighttime.

01:09

They really-- they don't have the eclipse.

01:13

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

01:16

Four minutes.

01:18

I got to say though, is there nothing

01:22

Fox can't tie to immigration?

01:23

This is-- this year's cicada infestation provides

01:27

perfect cover for Venezuelans.

01:32

Of course, if you combine the dangers of today's eclipse

01:35

with Friday's seismic activity in the Northeast,

01:39

well, the more troubling picture emerges.

01:42

Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene

01:44

tweeted that the earthquake and Monday's solar eclipse

01:47

are a sign from God that Americans need to repent.

01:53

How, how do you know?

01:56

How, how would you know that that is what God meant?

02:01

Why would God be so obtuse?

02:05

Why would he do that?

02:06

Or she, why would she?

02:09

Or how crazy would it be if god insisted on they them?

02:13

[POOF]

02:14

But honestly-- is this shit really how God works?

02:23

I must let man know to repent their wickedness.

02:27

How, Lord?

02:28

I don't know.

02:29

Dim the lights for like four minutes.

02:33

Very specific path.

02:34

And, God, what else?

02:38

Give New Jersey a little shake maybe.

02:41

Enough to render the buildings to rubble

02:44

and to bring people to their knees

02:46

in repentance and atonement?

02:48

Uh, no, just a little like a Jersey, rrr-rrr-rrr.

02:52

Just a little noogie.

02:53

Like, rrr-rrr-rrr, Jersey, rrr-rrr-rrr.

02:59

But divine messaging aside, it was the biggest

03:03

story of the weekend.

03:04

So for more on the eclipse, we have full team coverage.

03:07

Let's go live to Ronny Chieng in Kerrville, Texas and Grace

03:11

Kuhlenschmidt in Niagra Falls.

03:14

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

03:16

What a day!

03:17

What a, what a spectacular day!

03:20

Grace, what is the mood out there in Niagara Falls?

03:23

It's Eclipse Day!

03:26

The sky was dark, but the moods were bright, because this event

03:29

was out of this world.

03:31

Oh, fantastic.

03:32

Jon.

03:33

Oh, Grace, that's fantastic.

03:34

Ronny.

03:37

Thanks, Jon.

03:39

The eclipse was fine, but too bad they don't make

03:41

a special kind of glasses that will allow us to look truly

03:45

directly at the horrors that are occurring around the world,

03:47

especially in Gaza.

03:54

That's, that's very true, Ronny, very true.

03:56

Powerful, those are powerful words.

03:59

Grace?

04:02

Oh, Ga-- Gaza.

04:06

Oh, Gaza.

04:07

T-- terrible, terrible.

04:11

Not terrible was the Krispy Kreme

04:14

special edition solar eclipse donut I had earlier.

04:19

[APPLAUSE]

04:23

Um, it was in the path of tastality.

04:28

It, it was rea-- really good.

04:31

Is that a tambourine?

04:33

Oh, no.

04:37

No, no, no, no, no.

04:38

Well, technically, it is.

04:41

Um, I was going to do an eclipse dance,

04:43

but it doesn't seem appropriate.

04:52

I'd really like to see the dance.

04:54

Yeah, yeah, do the dance.

04:57

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

05:04

[TAMBOURINE RATTLING]

05:05

(SINGING) Moonrise in the daytime, block out the sun,

05:14

it's so fun, family and friends, the joy never ends.

05:22

[TAMBOURINE RATTLING]

05:24

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

05:28

Yeah, you know, that dance reminds me of the moral dance

05:33

we all do every day to hide our complicity

05:35

in the world's atrocities.

05:37

And I hope that was clear in my dance.

05:40

Thank you both very much.

05:41

Grace and Ronny, everybody.

05:43

[CHEERING, APPLAUSE]

05:44

Well done.

05:47

But, the other big milestone from the eclipse is,

05:54

as Ronny mentioned, the war in Gaza is now six months old.

05:57

I think time for a wellness check.

05:59

But as the war has grinded on, justice is beginning

06:02

to seem more like cruelty.

06:03

But not to worry.

06:05

America, the shining city on a hill, is on the case,

06:09

with our universal values.

06:11

We have a great battle for freedom

06:13

between a rules-based order and one governed by brute force.

06:19

In this battle, we need to be clear-eyed.

06:23

And just to clarify, we are the freedom folks.

06:25

We're the rules people.

06:26

We're not the brute force ones.

06:27

I think we all know who the brute force ones are.

06:29

In this case, Vladimir.

06:32

And know that America will call you out when you violate

06:37

the basic tenets of humanity.

06:40

Weaponizing food, using it as a tool,

06:43

as a weapon in its war against Ukraine.

06:45

It's unconscionable.

06:46

Should not happen.

06:48

It's unconscionable.

06:49

Weaponizing food in Ukraine is not kosher, nor halal.

06:55

Sorry if I'm both sidesing this.

07:00

Speaking of which, there is a literal famine

07:02

in Gaza caused by the war.

07:04

I assume America will also consider this unconscionable.

07:07

Absolutely we're concerned about that,

07:09

no question about it.

07:11

Well, you can't spend--

07:13

spell unconscionable without concern.

07:16

Or at least part of it.

07:18

The C-O-N part.

07:19

You can reuse the C-O, you get the point.

07:23

How about the free press?

07:24

Ordinarily, we are strongly in favor of free press.

07:27

We also condemn the Russian government's

07:29

continued targeting and repression of journalists.

07:34

You hear that, Russia!

07:37

We condemn in no uncertain terms, any repression

07:42

of a free press.

07:44

I think you all know what's coming next.

07:47

More journalists have been killed

07:48

in Gaza in six months than anywhere else in the world.

07:50

And a new Israeli law says they can ban media outlets

07:53

they consider a threat.

07:55

So as it relates to Al Jazeer--

07:57

Jazeera specifically, we've seen the reports.

07:59

If it is true, if it is true, a move like this is concerning.

08:04

Oh, we're concerned again.

08:07

How about if it's true, we condemn it?

08:10

And by the way, is it true?

08:11

Like, it feels like you could probably just call someone

08:13

and be like, is this true.

08:16

And if they're like, yeah, it's true, you could be like,

08:18

that's concerning.

08:21

Not condemning, but concerning.

08:23

Well, you know what?

08:24

Perhaps these are just peripheral issues.

08:27

What about the bedrock rule of international law?

08:30

No taking land by force.

08:32

When Russia does it, we're pretty clear.

08:34

The entire world has a stake in making sure

08:37

that no nation, no aggressor is allowed to take a neighbor's

08:42

territory by force.

08:44

The American people will never waver in our commitment

08:46

to those values.

08:50

Eh, ish.

08:55

See, this is where Israel's actions get interesting.

08:57

Because you might say Israel's war

08:59

is different than Ukraine's.

09:00

Israel is responding to an attack and a hostage crisis.

09:02

But in the midst of that, they pulled

09:04

a little something in the West Bank

09:05

on March 22 that might be notable.

09:09

As the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

09:12

made his latest visit to Israel,

09:14

the Israeli government announced that it was declaring

09:18

state land, nearly 2,000 acres of land,

09:20

in the occupied West Bank.

09:22

This latest Israeli appropriation

09:24

is the largest land transfer since the Oslo

09:26

Accords were signed in 1993.

09:30

1993, and that's not even Gaza, that's the West Bank.

09:33

So you can't say it has anything to do with defending

09:35

yourself against Hamas.

09:36

Let's see if America upholds its rule against taking land.

09:41

I haven't seen the specifics of this,

09:43

but anyone taking steps that makes things more difficult,

09:47

more challenging this time, it's something

09:49

that we have a problem with.

09:51

You don't know about it?

09:52

They did it the day you [BLEEP] visited!

09:57

Why do we tiptoe around on eggshells?

10:00

They slap America in the face, and our response is, well,

10:02

if anyone slapped us in the face, it'd be concerning,

10:05

that's for sure.

10:07

I mean, raising a hand to a delicate body part of the face,

10:12

if true.

10:14

The verbal gymnastics that the American government must

10:17

undertake so as not to offend the delicate sensibilities

10:20

of a country we provide most of the weapons for, is yow!

10:26

Every time America tells the world that there's

10:28

something we won't allow, Israel seems to say,

10:31

challenge accepted.

10:33

Are they willfully trying to provoke us?

10:36

Or perhaps they're just reading our principles

10:37

from right to left.

10:39

It's upside--

10:42

Over--

10:43

[APPLAUSE]

10:45

But really, to be honest, it's kind of a bar mitzvah

10:50

joke, but.

10:53

Over 30,000 have died in Gaza since the war started.

10:56

Some of them Hamas soldiers, 13,000 of them children.

11:00

Our response.

11:01

Since the early hours, we've been urging

11:04

our Israeli counterparts to act with as much precision

11:07

as they can in their targeting.

11:08

Our constant efforts to urge the Israelis

11:11

to be as precise and careful as possible.

11:13

We can still continue to urge Israel to be

11:16

more careful and more precise.

11:17

The need for the Israeli defense

11:19

forces to act with precision.

11:21

We continue to-- to work with the Israelis to make sure

11:24

that they are as precise as--

11:25

as they can be.

11:27

See, they're not listening.

11:29

Have you tried synonyms for precision?

11:31

We continue to stress to our Israeli counterparts

11:34

that they be as discriminate and careful in their targeting

11:36

as possible.

11:37

Be as cautious and deliberate and as careful as they can.

11:40

To be more careful and more deliberate.

11:42

Be very deliberate.

11:43

In the most discreet, deliberate, careful, cautious

11:45

way possible.

11:46

The utmost care.

11:47

A special burden to be mindful.

11:51

To be mindful?

11:53

What is this, [BLEEP] hot yoga?

11:58

We just, you know, we've seen the bombing and--

12:01

[APPLAUSE]

12:04

--we are urging Netanyahu to be present.

12:10

What the [BLEEP] are we doing here?

12:13

The subtext of all this is, America knows this is wrong.

12:17

But it apparently doesn't seem to have the courage to say it

12:20

in a straightforward manner.

12:21

America and Israel both know that you cannot

12:24

bomb your way into safety.

12:25

We learned that lesson in Iraq and Afghanistan.

12:27

They learned it in southern Lebanon.

12:29

They laid siege there, occupied the southern area for 20 years.

12:32

All it did was birth and strengthen Hezbollah.

12:34

And they're about to do it all over again,

12:36

and we are letting them.

12:38

Real friends take the [BLEEP] keys, because friends don't

12:42

let friends bomb that much.

12:46

And after this recent week, with so much horror,

12:53

perhaps America finally finds the need for a new approach

12:58

with Israel.

12:59

With more justice and less cruelty.

13:02

The US and Israel are closing in on what

13:04

would be their largest weapons deal since the war in

13:08

Gaza began.

13:11

Well, I don't know about you, but if that's true,

13:15

I find it concerning.

13:18

And with that devastating conclusion,

13:20

we turn for more analysis, back to Grace Kuhlenschmidt.

13:24

Grace.

13:27

No, no, no.

13:29

No, no, no, no, no, no.

13:32

Not again.

13:33

All right, Grace Kuhlenschmidt, everybody.