Salman Rushdie warns of a Taliban-like state in a free Palestine

Salman Rushdie thinks that if a Palestinian state is formed now, it could become like the Taliban. He believes that Hamas would control the state, making it similar to the Taliban and a supporter of Iran. Rushdie expressed his concerns during a podcast interview, mentioning the distressing situation in Gaza due to innocent deaths caused by Hamas, a terrorist group. He also talked about the protests at New York University, where he works, saying that while students have the right to protest, it's important to ensure that others feel safe. Rushdie shared his views during a literary festival in Berlin, questioning if creating a Palestinian state run by Hamas is what progressive movements want. He emphasized the need to acknowledge Hamas as a terrorist organization and avoid anti-Semitic sentiments during protests. Rushdie faced a fatwa in 1989 for his book "The Satanic Verses," which led to violent protests and an attack on him in 2022. He highlighted the dangers of supporting extremist groups and the importance of considering all perspectives in such sensitive matters.