Pieter Cobelens is severely disqualified behind his back by Johan Derksen. Does he still feel like joining Today Inside? “You can’t say that about him.”
The discussion about the war between Israel and Hamas is also being conducted in full force in Today Inside. Regular guest Pieter Cobelens, former director of the Military Intelligence and Security Service, is diametrically opposed to Johan Derksen. Pieter also reprimanded Johan on Tuesday evening for his Jewish statement: “I thought that was inappropriate.”
Raving
Johan had little response during that broadcast, but a day later, on Wednesday, he accused Pieter of ‘raving’. Images of destruction in the Gaza Strip were then shown. René van der Gijp: “It is completely razed to the ground, like Bachmut by those Russians back then. There will be nothing left standing soon.”
Then Johan remarks: “Our house general was ranting about yesterday that…”
Wilfred Genee: “Well, ranting…”
‘What nonsense!’
Johan decides to stick to his wording. Yes, ranting that they were precision bombs that would only hit the buildings occupied by Hamas people. That is out of the question. What kind of nonsense is that?”
Wilfred thinks that goes too far, he says after the broadcast in the section In De Wandelgangs. “Pieter Cobelens was ‘raving’, you know, he says a day later. You can’t say that a former general is raving, can you? That’s impossible? Then say that to his face!”
Not an expert
Perhaps Johan is interfering a little too much in the conflict, says Wilfred. “We’re not experts in that field, are we? We shouldn’t wear too big shoes, right?”
Leon de Winter, writer and Telegraaf columnist, agrees. He writes down X: “Johan Derksen said that General Cobelens was ‘raving’. That was a pathetic attempt to neutralize Cobelens’ criticism of Derksen’s nonsensical comments. It was Derksen’s final self-unmasking.”
Dirty mustache
Johan himself is raving, says Leon. “His ravings are often entertaining, he is good at one-liners and contrarian remarks, but of the ten facts he reports, five are usually nonsense. He is not an erudite man, he is a reader of headlines. It’s not a problem when the subject is football or about a celebrity, but this is about mass murder.”
He continues: “Then you have to know the facts, like Cobelens. Derksen has no idea, but has an opinion, as he says. But you have to substantiate a controversial opinion, and he cannot do that. Suddenly he stands bare ass, revealing himself as a nasty little guy with a mouth that is much too big and a dirty mustache.”
Done with VI
Leon has now finished Today Inside. “I have regularly enjoyed VI in the past, Wilfred is a talented boy, but I can no longer tolerate Derksen’s ravings.”
Pieter has not yet responded to Johan’s statements. He was on Thursday together with other VI stars at the Golden Televizier-Ring Gala to support the nominated Hélène Hendriks.