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Media bias ensures Hamas is always going to win PR battle
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
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Why are terror groups so very good at PR?
Because people who don’t ask a lot of hard questions allow themselves to be taken in by them. It happened here. And it is happening now in the Middle East. We used to talk in these parts about visiting commentators being seduced by the whiff of cordite. Never mind that the ‘freedom fighters’ exuding gun smoke and hype were murdering fascists whose main victims were their own community.
They’d portrayed themselves as the underdogs — the oppressed. And that, temporarily anyway, was PR gold. It still is ?
Today, according to the broad brushstroke coverage of the crisis in Gaza, Israelis are the mindless, inhumane bully boys of the Middle East. The raids on Gaza we’re told, are purely about ‘revenge’. Not about trying to end a truly intolerable situation where hundreds of thousands of Israeli civilians have been living in fear of being killed by totally indiscriminate bombing by Qassam rockets.
What was Israel expected to do about this bombardment? (About which there have been, inevitably, no candlelit vigils in London, Paris or LA). Just sit there and take it? Wait as the rockets became ever more sophisticated, ever more powerful? They couldn’t and they didn’t.
And a world which sat back complacent while Israeli children were being killed and maimed now displays a double standard by agonising over the death and maiming of Palestinian children.
Put brutally, those pictures of children being carried bloodied and crying from the rubble are TV gold to Hamas. Don’t kid yourself they cause tears to course down the faces of the Hamas leaders. They are exactly what Hamas want. Hamas rockets were launched at Israel precisely in order to provoke such a response.
Hamas, who hide behind the skirts of women and the children they use as human shields, know full well it is impossible for the Israelis to strike the terror chiefs without inflicting civilian casualties. Civilian casualties which, it has to be said, have provoked a heart-searching in Israel not reciprocated in Arab nations when it comes to Israeli children. For, contrary to common portrayal, Israel is the real underdog in the Middle East. A small democratic nation which encourages free speech, it is surrounded on all sides by its powerful Arab enemies, most of whom refuse to even recognise its right to exist and have at regular intervals talked about wiping it entirely off the face of the earth (a threat that Israel understandably does not take lightly given past history. See also 20th century Europe. Under heading: Holocaust).
And who’s side does the so-called liberal West generally embrace?
Needless to say not the liberal Western- aligned Israel. But the fundamentalist fanatics who aside from their anti-Semitic hatred are committed to murdering homosexuals, denying women even basic rights and brutally crushing any political opposition.
Poised on the sidelines in the current crisis for example, is Iran with its mad president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who is among those calling for Israel to be wiped off the map. (He calls the Holocaust a ‘fairytale’.) Now aiming for nuclear capacity, Ahmadinejad has helped arm both Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon. This wholesome bloke was the choice of ‘liberal’ Channel 4 to present this year’s alternative Queen’s message. (Has anyone told Mahmoud the alternative meaning of ‘queen’?) The rich Arab nations have it within their power to do much to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. They won’t — precisely because Palestinian victimhood suits their political purposes. For the same reason Hamas will not cease the launching of rockets in order to halt the Israeli response and thus spare the Palestinian people further suffering.
They might, though, to save their own necks. Tellingly Hamas bosses consistently call for martyrs to take reprisals on Israel. Tellingly though, they don’t actually volunteer for the job themselves. Or offer up their own relatives. That’s another thing terrorists have in common. An unerring |instinct for self-preservation.
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64 Comments
I will say from my perspective, Israel wants peace but will defend itself. Under previous Israeli administration. Israel gave up land for peace. Peace never happened. The countries that surround Israel want the country wiped off the map. I must say that the people in the Gaza strip are fault for harboring Hamas with in their population. They know that if Hama's act up Israel will end the threat to their security. Most of the press, even in the US has shown sympathy for terrorist, and wont stand for whats right. So instead of Blaming Israel, and thinking that Hama's has just cause for their actions. Lets look at the people of Gaza and tell them to take responsibility for their previous lack of action.
Lindy, your great! I enjoy reading your work!
Posted by Gary | 09.03.09, 02:11 GMT
Is this what passes for objective journalism in the Belfast Telegraph?? Highly dubious. Just ask the Red Cross or the UN. The article neglects to mention the Israeli Government deliberately lying over munitions in a UN school, a fact which has been conclusively disregarded, the execution of children at point blank range, the herding of civilians and their subsequent execution.
Posted by John Temple | 25.01.09, 21:33 GMT
rubbish article. completely rubbish.
Posted by fasert | 18.01.09, 14:08 GMT
Right, very clearly the recent poster McCorry who claimed that Hamas use "primitive rockets" that cause very little damage and Israel is a "rogue nation" is totally ignorant - its easy to pass this off and make these uninformed statements when you are not in the firing line and when not in context with history.
Firing these "primitive" rockets indiscriminantly is very dangerous because they could land anywhere - even on Palestinians, which they do - Hamas does not care.
Hamas controls the Palestinians - they are nothing more than a bunch of murderers whose sole and stated aim is to do away with Israel.
Have a look at this video of the son of a Hamas leader who has spoken out about Hamas (August 2008):
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=IPz4ffF4oEA
Israel wants to get on with life - they are a tiny nation. They are surrounded by 22 Arab countries that are 800 times bigger than Israel. The sooner the Arabs decide to live with them in peace, the better it will be for everyone.
Posted by E | 14.01.09, 04:25 GMT
Right clearly you people do not understand facts and figures nor the contracitory logic in your statements so I'm going to state it in black and white, in as simple terms as I can:
Israel have been violating basic human right for years and sytematically murdering an entire people and getting away with it. Do not be fooled by the sudden news coverage and do yourselves a favour and do not jump on the band wagon. This has been going on for years.
I also love how everyone keeps mentioning these "rockets." They are in fact home made, primitive and cause very little damage. These rockets are the only way Palestine can defend itself from the huge military onslaught being inflicted on them by a rogue state.
If Israel truly was a "voice of reason" then surely it wouldn't break international law by starving and denying 1.5 million people basic human rights.
Of corse by now i understand that you will disregard these facts and say more things like "terrorists" and "self-defense."
Posted by Tristan McCorry | 13.01.09, 13:28 GMT
List of rocket attacks against Israel in 2008:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rocket_and_mortar_attacks_in_Israel_in_2008#cite_note-76
Obviously not newsworthy was it?
If your neighbours were harassing you every day throwing rocks etc, what would you do? You would start by asking them to stop. But what if they didn't stop and they got their kids to join in?
a/ Should you just sit on your hands and do nothing?
b/ Should you fight back?
c/ Should you call the police?
Okay, its probably fair to call the police. So the police would visit them and tell them to stop. And what if they didn't stop? Well, one would expect the police to come in and take them away. This is how things should work in a civilised world.
Well, nobody else is taking Hamas away - the UN is a toothless tiger.
If neither the police nor anyone else were taking any physical steps to stop my neighbours, I would be doing everything in my power to protect my family and property!
Posted by E | 13.01.09, 03:40 GMT
Here is a corespondent with common sense. Very well done lindy. Israel is a voice of reason in the middle east and lindy accuately captures this.
I truely hope and pray that peace is soon found in that land of Israel, but whatever happens Israel will continue to defend itself and justifiably so.
Posted by Rob | 12.01.09, 15:23 GMT
This is the same old arguement that we always get in N. Ireland. Basically whataboutery, a word I made up granted, but it fits. We wouldnt be doing if they werent to us and what about this and what about that? Since when did two wrongs make a right?
Posted by Homer | 12.01.09, 11:58 GMT
First and foremost, thank you to the author of this article for doing nothing more than telling the simple truth. To all the supporters of Hamas on this page, I agree that what is taking place in Israel and Gaza is horrible. I wish for all the violence to stop on both sides. Unfortunately, from my perspective it seems that firing rockets indiscriminately into Israel is not being condemned by a single one of you Hamas supporters. I suppose ignorance is bliss.
I will make you a great deal; I will fly each of you to Israel and put you up in hotels in Ashdod or Ashquelon for 2 weeks! I will pay for your food, drink, hotel and all other travel expenses. This should be welcomed by all of you!! An all expenses paid trip to a beautiful beach town! After all Israel is a beautiful country that everyone should have the privilege of visiting. I have family in both cities, and they would even welcome you into their homes!
Continued above....
Posted by Neal | 11.01.09, 17:01 GMT
This is just the same old British master-race philosophy that Ulster Unionists have always engaged in and which Ms Gilby, Mr Waugh and Ms Walker continue to peddle:
In Ireland support the British Protestant against the Irish Catholic
In Africa support the white settler against the Black native
In the middle east support the Zionist Jew against the Moslem Arab
Kill as many of them as you like - their lives are not worth as much as ours. I call that racism and support for genocide dressed up in the clothes of democracy and 'civilization'.
Posted by padraig | 11.01.09, 12:07 GMT
Typical brainwash from Israeli media! She seems to be forgetting that the small country of Israel is infact dictating to the rest of the world. With the fundamental and economic battle from the US it can defy international law and the UN. The resolution 1806 actually called for an immediate pullout of Israeli troops- of course ignored. Hamas are rarely reported because no one will talk to them so most accusations in the article are complete fabrication. I expected people to see past news black out and propaganda by now!
Posted by Kam | 10.01.09, 22:46 GMT
Thank you, Lindy. Yours is one of the few voices of balance and reason. Hamas has been responsible for bringing death and destruction to both Israeli and Palestinian civilians. The Israelis and Fatah, along with the US, have agreed to a Palestinian state. Hamas is the only obstacle.
Posted by Paul UK | 10.01.09, 20:46 GMT
Isabel, What is truly "morally bankrupt" to you? I guess Hamas is a pillar of morality then. Hamas was held in a blockade, which by the way did not prevent numerous countries including Israel from sending them food, water and supplies. Also Gaza continued to receive continuous funds from the UN and E.U., who did not "blockade" them. Not to mention funding from Iran and Syria. All Hamas needed to do to end the blockade was acknowledge Israel's right to exist, end their armed struggle and honor previous peace agreements with the Palestinian Authority. But I guess, Hamas superior morality wouldn't allow them to do this. When will the world hold Hamas accountable for their actions? It is truly beyond the pale when people suggest that Israel should support and fund a group of people dedicated to their destruction. Do you think Hams sends Israel food and aid after their devestating suicide bombings?
Posted by Yael Lieber | 09.01.09, 17:34 GMT
Well said Isobel. This article is totally one sided and seems to completely overlook the fact that what is Israel is doing is verging on genocide.
Posted by Sarah | 09.01.09, 16:37 GMT
What a pathetic excuse for journalism, it is an insult to the readers of a paper I will never be buying again.
It is chillingly ill-informed opinions like this that have allowed the brutal and illegal occupation of Palestinian lands to continue for over forty years and countless Israeli breaches of International Law to go unpunished.
Shame on you and your morally bankrupt supporters.
Posted by Isabel | 09.01.09, 14:04 GMT
People seam to forget that Israel has held Gaza in an 18 month bockcade which as lead to widespread shorage of food and medical suppies, as well as cutting off water and power on a daily bases.
Hamas did not break the cceasefire. Israel broke it, first on 4 November when its bombardment killed six Palestinians in Gaza and again on 17 November when another bombardment killed four more Palestinians.
These fact have been forgotten
Posted by David | 09.01.09, 12:44 GMT
Hamas doesn't need to 'win' any PR battle. Israel will do it for them by slaughtering Palestinians who they displaced from their land and concentrated into a ghetto. It is the duty of the media to report the facts of what is happening.
Posted by Tom | 09.01.09, 10:17 GMT
WELL SAID
Posted by menahem | 09.01.09, 09:15 GMT
Thank you to the autor of this article for bravely standing up for what's right.
Posted by Mo | 09.01.09, 06:24 GMT
Hey John,
Is Israel never allowed to defend themselves at all? Quite interesting that the liberal media always shows dead and injured Palestinians at Israeli hands while never mentioning that Hamas started the whole crap anyway. How many would be dead if the terrorists would simply leave Israel alone? But we can't have that. Israel needs to be wiped off the face of the earth. If a rocket landed in YOUR neighborhood, I'm sure you'd want to do something about it. And yes, when Hamas launches their rockets from neighborhoods, that makes them cowards!!
Posted by George L | 09.01.09, 04:02 GMT
64 Comments