Liam Cunningham calls out Western narratives on Palestine: ‘It’s lie to pin this on October 7th’
Liam Cunningham, an Irish actor known for his role as Davos Seaworth in the TV series "Game of Thrones" makes a speech during the panel titled "“The Call of Humanity” moderated by Nadja Muftic within the 15th TRT International Documentary Awards in Istanbul, Türkiye, December 13, 2024. (AA Photo)
At the 15th TRT International Documentary Awards in Istanbul, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, best known for his portrayal of Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones, delivered a powerful speech during a panel discussion titled “A Call for Humanity.”
The discussion, moderated by TRT presenter Nadja Muftic, focused on the escalating global crises, with Cunningham highlighting the ongoing atrocities in Palestine and the broader Middle East.
Liam Cunningham denounces simplistic narratives on violence
During the panel, Cunningham expressed his deep sympathy for innocent victims of violence but sharply criticized Western narratives about the origins of the ongoing conflict. “Many in the West seem to be selling this story that it began on October 7th. It didn’t. It started way before that, and not even in 1948,” he stated.
The actor rejected claims that the violence could be traced to the October 7th attacks, calling such narratives “disingenuous” and “a lie.” He emphasized that using this tragic event to justify actions currently being investigated as potential genocide by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is indefensible. “There is no excuse for genocide,” Cunningham added.
Complexity of ceasefire calls: Cunningham’s global perspective
Cunningham also addressed the complexity of calls for a ceasefire in the region. He pointed to the broader implications of the ongoing conflict, questioning whether calls for a ceasefire were limited to Gaza or whether they should extend to other countries like Syria and Lebanon, which are also experiencing violence.
“If I said to the audience here today, ‘We are calling for a ceasefire,’ your reaction would be, which one? Are we talking about a ceasefire in Syria? Are we talking about a ceasefire in Lebanon? Are we talking about a ceasefire in Gaza?” Cunningham remarked, underlining the interconnectedness of regional conflicts.
Growing global instability: Is World War III possibility?
As the conversation shifted to broader geopolitical concerns, Cunningham highlighted the rising fears of global instability. “I’m sure all of you have started hearing, ‘Is this going to be World War III?’” he said. “We were never talking like that before. We’re talking about it now, and the fact that we even have to consider that that might happen means that the world is in a very dangerous position.”
His remarks resonate as tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel, Gaza, and neighboring countries, continue to escalate. The fear of further global conflict, with regional tensions spilling over, has become a growing concern for world leaders and citizens alike.
Role of documentaries in promoting global awareness
The 15th TRT International Documentary Awards, organized by TRT, aim to spotlight both amateur and professional documentary filmmakers who engage with crucial global issues. By bringing attention to pressing topics such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, the event seeks to promote the documentary genre as a tool for awareness, empathy, and action on a global scale.
As the awards continue to unfold in Istanbul, the panel discussions serve as a stark reminder of the urgency for a more informed, compassionate global response to the ongoing crises.
