Tareq Taylor Responds to Criticism After TV4 Interview: 'Absurd'

Tareq Taylor's statements about the Gaza conflict on TV4 sparked strong reactions. The TV personality now addresses the criticism. "Some want to portray me as a supporter of Hamas. It's completely absurd," he writes on Instagram.

Earlier this week, TV chef Tareq Taylor appeared on TV4's "Efter fem" to discuss his new book "Mediterranean Food" and the situation in Gaza.

Taylor, who has Palestinian roots, sharply criticized the Swedish government for not labeling Israel's actions as genocide.

"Today, we have one of the weakest leaders we've ever had, who cannot call out what is happening right before our eyes. And we also have an Ebba Busch who says Israel is doing the world a favor when every charity and major researcher in the world agrees that Israel is committing genocide. You cannot say that, especially as the Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden."

He emphasized that he is not "anti-Israel," but "pro-human rights."

Significant Attention

The interview has received significant attention, especially on social media.

Among others, Jean-Pierre Barda argued in an Expressen debate article that much of Tareq Taylor's claims were anti-Semitic.

Now, the TV personality responds to the criticism on Instagram.

"My statement has been dissected and manipulated in articles and posts to smear and distort what was said. Some want to portray me as a supporter of Hamas. It's completely absurd," he writes in a post.

He condemns both Hamas and the actions of the Israeli state, Tareq Taylor further writes:

"My argument that I have tried to convey is that human rights are and should be just that, human rights. For everyone."