I hesitate to write about this. I'm sure it will be controversial, no matter what I say. But I think it's important for those living outside this region to know how this is being reported here.
The press here is more willing to display photographs of bloody bodies, body parts in the street, dead children crushed by buildings, parents wailing over the inert bodies of their children, and all the other horros of war. These pictures are daily on the cover of newspapers, on the television, and in magazines. So, we get a much more realistic perspective on how horrible this is. And as a result the war is connecting in a very emotional and visceral way with people here - both Arab and non-Arab.
Recent reports are that the death toll has reached 970 with 40% of casualties being women and children. There are reports that bombs are aimed at UN safe havens, at schools, and hospitals. UN Humanitarian aid workers report bodies being burned with white phosphorus and usage of other chemicals against Hague convention. I have no way to know what is or isn't slanted toward the Hamas perspective - but there's no doubt that this war and it's conduct is creating huge anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiment.
There is little perspective or reporting on any sense of outrage within the American population. The reporting focuses exclusively on the official American response which is deemed to be 100% in support of Israel. If there are any protests or sentiments in America that denounce these actions, none of that is making the news here. So, where it might have been "cool" to be an American for a few weeks after Obama's elections - there's now a re-emergence of anti-American emotion and sentiment.
All I know is it's horrible. There's no way that this war is achieving a positive outcome. We've got to start participating in a constructive way in this region to bring compromise and peace. There are peace-seeking countries and leaders here. There is a way to peace - but it's not through war.
The awareness that we are all human beings together has become lost in war. - Albert Schweitzer
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3 comments:
I agree with you that the violence seems both extreme and senseless, but I understand that some negotiations for a ceasefire albiet a temporary one are in the works. There has been protest in the US from both sides so everyone here is certainly not behind Israel as it may appear to the Arab nations. In fact, with Iraq still out there and Afghanistan now much in the picture, I think most Americans are pretty anti-war. I can't wait until the inauguration so that Obama can start making his own voice heard on the Middle East crises that never seem to end.
I agree, Nancy. There have been a lot of protests in the US against what is happening. And I know that a lot of Americans are against what is happening. But none of that makes the news here. It's very much about how the American press is pro-Israel or underplaying the true horrors in Gaza. There is a lot of emotion here and it's getting worse. Something better happen soon.
It's a shame the news there is manipulating the US position. In fact there have been protests all over the country, the media is clearly and squarely against Israel with a strong bias.
On the other had there is little mention here and I bet not at all where you are that the reason there are so many women and children killed is because the Palestinians are placing women and children at the weapons sites, missile site, and bomb making facilities. And putting the weapons stashes in school, hospital, etc. to force Israel to bomb these sites. They fully know that it will make them look sympathetic and Israel the aggressor by doing this even while killing off there own. There have been reports of Palistine bombing their own people to while setting up the media to record it so they can blame Israel for it.
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