As more and more people are speaking out about Israel’s genocidal attacks against the Palestinian population in Gaza, mainstream media executives are trying to put a lid on it. How else can you explain NBC’s action to remove, from Gaza, Ayman Mohyeldin, an experienced, well respected reporter after he described the arbitrary killing of four young Palestinian boys playing soccer on a beach by members of the Israeli Defense Force.
Glen Greenwald wrote, “Over the last two weeks, Mohyeldin’s reporting has been far more balanced and even-handed than the standard pro-Israel coverage that dominates establishment American press coverage; his reports have provided context to the conflict that is missing from most American reports and he avoids adopting Israeli government talking points as truth. As a result, neocon and “pro-Israel” websites have repeatedly attacked him as a Hamas spokesman and spouting pro Hamas rants.”
FYI, Mohyeldin was reinstated by NBC after an outpouring of public support for him.
How does one explain the action by CNN when reporter Diana Magnay who tweeted that she found a group of Israeli’s gathered on a hill to watch the aerial bombardment of Gaza, laughing and cheering every time a missile exploded in Gaza. She then states that they threatened her if she did not report the events “correctly.” Later, in her tweet, she referred to them as “scum.” CNN then promptly reassigned her to Moscow for her inexcusable sin.
And, then there’s Rula Jebreal, a frequent contributer to MSNBC, who went on air (Ronan Farrow Daily) criticizing NBC for removing Ayman in the first place as well as attacking the U.S. media for their exclusion of Palestinian voices in their reporting. She commented that it is this biased reporting that forms public opinion in America. After stating her opinion, Ms. Jebreal received 4 emails cancelling upcoming engagements.
Media reporting, the words and the images influence popular opinion about any event. Hamas is very often referred to as a terrorist group despite the fact that to many Palestinians they are seen as resistors to Israel’s occupation. Israel, on the other hand, who has driven thousands of Palestinians from their homes, imprisoned Palestinians during the occupation, terrorized the Palestinian population since 1948, is never referred to as terrorists.
It is not only what one chooses to report, it is dramatically important to be aware of what is not being reported.
It is no surprise that a majority of the U.S. public supports Israel. The media has overwhelmingly trumpeted the Israeli narrative while not only ignoring the Palestinian experience but also ignoring international law.
Patrick O’Conner in his article in the Electronic Intifada reported former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert admitted that he intended to commit war crimes in Gaza, telling his cabinet that he wanted “no one to be able to sleep tonight in Gaza.” Olmert thus officially acknowledged Israel’s policy of collectively punishing 1.4 million Palestinians, a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention. But none of the US’ three leading newspapers—The New York Times, Washington Post and LA Times—reported Olmert’s statement, even though it was widely quoted around the world.
The U.S. media have demonstrated their willingness to accept unquestioningly Israel’s rationale that they are protecting themselves from Hamas. This does not explain the killing of over 700 citizens, including many women and children; It does not explain the bombing of 7 hospitals; it does not explain the bombing of 46 schools.
Despite what is occurring in Gaza, our president continues to voice his support of Israel, also claiming they have a right to protect themselves. Not only did Congress vote to support Israel, it was unanimous. Who says we can’t have bi-partisan cooperation?
These pledges of support are knee-jerk responses to some political realities rather than moralistic or legal support. I can’t believe there is no one in our government who has doubts about supporting genocide. However, any politican who has confronted Israel’s apartheid policies and their occupation has committed political suicide.
In our haste to blindly support Israel, we have helped create a monster, a fascist, racist country who sees as their mission the maintenance of a Jewish state. Evidently, this means that all others are expendable and not welcome in Israel.
Is this what we want to support?
Dave Alpert has masters degrees in social work, educational administration, and psychology. He spent his career working with troubled inner city adolescents.
