WASHINGTON | August 12, 2026:
US political commentator Hasan Piker has triggered a fresh political storm after saying he would choose Hamas over Israel “every single time,” while defending earlier remarks in which he described Hamas as preferable to what he called an Israeli “apartheid state.”
Piker made the comments during an April appearance on Pod Save America, where host Jon Favreau questioned whether his previous claim that “Hamas is a thousand times better” than Israel was serious or simply intended to provoke a reaction. Piker responded that he genuinely meant the statement and framed his position as that of a “harm reduction” and “lesser evil” voter.
Piker also argued that Hamas should be viewed as both a paramilitary organisation and a political movement shaped by decades of Palestinian suffering. His remarks have faced intense criticism, particularly because Hamas carried out the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, during which civilians were killed and others were abducted.
The controversy has further intensified debate over Piker’s influence among progressive audiences in the United States and his outspoken views on Israel, Hamas and the Gaza war. Supporters say his position is rooted in opposition to Israeli policies and what he describes as harm reduction, while critics accuse him of effectively endorsing Hamas despite its attacks on civilians.
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment.