so, two days ago Israel launched a bombing campaign dubbed "Operation Protective Edge" against Gaza that's still ongoing. But, despite the horrors on the ground, the mainstream media seems to only be telling one side of the story.
"Israel Air Defense Intercepts More Rockets as Fighting Continues" [The Wall Street Journal]
"Palestinian rockets reach farther into Israel" [Los Angeles Times]
"Israel and Hamas exchange fire" [The New York Times]
Well. I guess I really can't expect more from the media apparatus that essentially works as stenographers for the US government.
"We strongly condemn the continuing rocket fire into Israel and the deliberate targeting of civilians by terrorist organizations in Gaza. No country can accept rocket fire aimed at civilians and we support Israel's right to defend itself against the vicious attacks. At the same time, we appreciate the call the Prime Minister Netanyahu himself has made publically to act responsibly." [White House STatement]
WAit, what? Acting Responsibly? I must be in the Twilight Zone because to me, the collective punishment of an entire population is the opposite of Responsible.
So, what's the reality on the ground?
Well, just in the last 24 hours, Israeli forces have conducted air strikes that have struck 160 sites in Gaza, according to the IDF. In total, 550 sites have been bombed and, considering the fact that Gaza is one of the most denesley populated places on Earth with over 1 million inhabitants, any aerial strike conducted in the region almost certainly means civilian deaths. In Fact, at this time, the strikes have killed at least 53 palestinians (including 8 children and an 80 year old woman).
According to the Palestinian Minister of public works and housing, at least 50 homes have been destroyed so far and 1700 damaged.
so when the IDF talks about hitting "Hamas Targets" remember that Hamas is the democratically elected leadership of Gaza which could mean any government building or social services for Palestinians.
So, while the US Government can go on and on about Israel's right to defend Itself, take heed of the increasing death rate in gaza and the fact that no Israelis have yet died as a result of hamas rockets.
Look I denounce deadly force on both sides, but it's important to not frame this as a cycle of violence that's equal. One is the colonizer oppressor, the other -- the colonized -- oppressed.
As IDF general said just yesterday, there ar etwo choices for Palestinians in occupied territories -- to completely surrender or resist. And resistance is what we're seeing now.
I'm sick of my Palestinian friends losing their friends and family every time Israel goes on the offense against innocent people living in an open-air prison.
So if demolishing homes, conducting mass arrests, and bombing civilians is "Responsible", I shudder to think how many people have to die in order to define "irresponsibility".
Amenah
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