I finally got back online today, having had no access to my email, Facebook or other accounts since last Thursday. A combination of electricity blackouts, failed internet server and gremlins conspired to keep me away from my main means of communication with the outside world. After an edgy week filled with attacks on Gaza, I texted some family members to let them know that I was safe and well - it was unnecessary as there was a blissful lack of awareness of there being any particular danger.
On Saturday, after a week of F16, Apache and drone attacks including attacks on the city, word was that things were going to get worse. There was even the threat of a ground offensive from an Israeli minister. In anticipation of escalation, my friends and I topped up the credit on our phones, made sure we had ample drinking water, and I ventured out to stock up on provisions. As I crossed Al Nasser Street I was startled by a loud explosion- it turned out to be a drone attack a quarter of a mile away that killed a motorcyclist and collapsed a wall onto 17 people causing serious injury. In all 20 people have been killed and 73 injured here in the last 7 days.
So why was there such lack of awareness outside of Gaza of what has been happening here?
A quick scoot around the international media provides the answer. In the very few media outlets that covered the story it is sanitised and rationalised, the impact on the people of Gaza played down. Israeli spokespersons are generously quoted, and by generously I mean uncritically, with no checking of other sources. Unless you can read between the lines you will miss the hint of the real story. The presentation of the "facts" make for a compelling argument- slick and professional...... Israel attacked military targets in the Islamist-controlled territory (Gaza) after hundreds of rockets were fired at Israel for which Hamas are responsible, putting the lives of 1 million Israelis at risk. Serious stuff- the outcome of these attacks.......one Israeli was slightly injured.
Their attacks were also in retribution for the killing of an Israeli contractor by two Salafists last Monday- this was widely reported in the media and much made of the links between these killers and Al-Qaeda. The facts that neither perpetrator was Palestinian, and that they crossed into Israel from Egypt, not Gaza, are inconvenient truths to be skated over in order to make this incident sound relevant and give justification and respectability to the criminal actions of the IDF. Why let the truth get in the way of a good story, especially one that the world never seems to tire of hearing?
I have a different story to tell- 20 people killed and, despite claims that they were all militants, there were 5 children among the dead, 2 of these were victims of home-made rockets that misfired. 73 people were injured, including elderly people, women and children. The little boy who was killed was playing football, and despite eye-witness reports that place the IDF as the killers, an Israeli spokeswoman says that an "initial inquiry" "suggests" that the military were not involved. Classic doublespeak. Will there be an in-depth inquiry? Will we ever hear the results? Will it be news? Does anyone care?
Israel fired a tank shell into a Saturday morning market thronged with shoppers - women with their children doing the weekly shopping or stocking up to weather the anticipated storm - mercifully the shell did not explode. My colleague arrived a short time after the incident oblivious of any imminent danger- after all who would attack shoppers? The answer to that question is: the same people who attacked sports arenas, densely populated neighbourhoods, blacksmiths and other workshops and peoples' homes.
In a week that has seen a steady escalation of airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, in which Hamas ended its year-long truce in response to Israel's hostilities, in which the international NGOs in Gaza placed their staff under curfew, in which the administration evacuated key government buildings, the world looked the other way, or comfortably accepted that Israel has just taken out a few Hamas militants.
Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is "taking strong action against those who are attacking us, and it will take even stronger action if need be." The results of that action:
Mo'men Al Addam (13), killed in the Al- Zeitoun neighbourhood
Bassam Mohammad Abu Ma'leeq (16), killed while crossing into Israel to look for work
Youssef At-Tibani (16), killed while crossing into Israel to look for work.
Strong action indeed.
On Saturday, after a week of F16, Apache and drone attacks including attacks on the city, word was that things were going to get worse. There was even the threat of a ground offensive from an Israeli minister. In anticipation of escalation, my friends and I topped up the credit on our phones, made sure we had ample drinking water, and I ventured out to stock up on provisions. As I crossed Al Nasser Street I was startled by a loud explosion- it turned out to be a drone attack a quarter of a mile away that killed a motorcyclist and collapsed a wall onto 17 people causing serious injury. In all 20 people have been killed and 73 injured here in the last 7 days.
A quick scoot around the international media provides the answer. In the very few media outlets that covered the story it is sanitised and rationalised, the impact on the people of Gaza played down. Israeli spokespersons are generously quoted, and by generously I mean uncritically, with no checking of other sources. Unless you can read between the lines you will miss the hint of the real story. The presentation of the "facts" make for a compelling argument- slick and professional...... Israel attacked military targets in the Islamist-controlled territory (Gaza) after hundreds of rockets were fired at Israel for which Hamas are responsible, putting the lives of 1 million Israelis at risk. Serious stuff- the outcome of these attacks.......one Israeli was slightly injured.
Their attacks were also in retribution for the killing of an Israeli contractor by two Salafists last Monday- this was widely reported in the media and much made of the links between these killers and Al-Qaeda. The facts that neither perpetrator was Palestinian, and that they crossed into Israel from Egypt, not Gaza, are inconvenient truths to be skated over in order to make this incident sound relevant and give justification and respectability to the criminal actions of the IDF. Why let the truth get in the way of a good story, especially one that the world never seems to tire of hearing?
I have a different story to tell- 20 people killed and, despite claims that they were all militants, there were 5 children among the dead, 2 of these were victims of home-made rockets that misfired. 73 people were injured, including elderly people, women and children. The little boy who was killed was playing football, and despite eye-witness reports that place the IDF as the killers, an Israeli spokeswoman says that an "initial inquiry" "suggests" that the military were not involved. Classic doublespeak. Will there be an in-depth inquiry? Will we ever hear the results? Will it be news? Does anyone care?
Israel fired a tank shell into a Saturday morning market thronged with shoppers - women with their children doing the weekly shopping or stocking up to weather the anticipated storm - mercifully the shell did not explode. My colleague arrived a short time after the incident oblivious of any imminent danger- after all who would attack shoppers? The answer to that question is: the same people who attacked sports arenas, densely populated neighbourhoods, blacksmiths and other workshops and peoples' homes.
In a week that has seen a steady escalation of airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, in which Hamas ended its year-long truce in response to Israel's hostilities, in which the international NGOs in Gaza placed their staff under curfew, in which the administration evacuated key government buildings, the world looked the other way, or comfortably accepted that Israel has just taken out a few Hamas militants.
Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is "taking strong action against those who are attacking us, and it will take even stronger action if need be." The results of that action:
Mo'men Al Addam (13), killed in the Al- Zeitoun neighbourhood
Bassam Mohammad Abu Ma'leeq (16), killed while crossing into Israel to look for work
Youssef At-Tibani (16), killed while crossing into Israel to look for work.
Strong action indeed.
Great blog. Look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteHi Elaine, you should get a link to indymedia for your blog- you write well, Kate
ReplyDelete