It struck me quite hard that non-Muslims in this country cared so much about the plight of our brothers and sisters in Palestine, specifically 'Ghazzah' (which some might not know, spelled as غزة). Thanks to the advancement in information technology, news from far off countries can be made known to us in matters of seconds. It is only up to us to care to read the news or not.It is a well-known fact that the Israeli government is defying its own Supreme Court order to allow a limited number (8) of foreign journalists into Gaza. They allowed 2 instead, but in show of solidarity (rightly or wrongly) the foreign journalists refused to go into Gaza until foreign journalists are allowed full entry, or at least until the Supreme Court order is fulfilled.
Israel's argument for not allowing journalists in - to devoid to Hamas 'militants' (read: democratically elected government from one of the cleanest elections in middle east history) of any source of propaganda.
But at the same time, the Israel's 'government' propaganda machinery is working round the clock to gain a sympathetic 'victimised' persona, as well as to project to the world that no humanitarian issues are happening in Gaza. (which is kind of retarded if you ask me; there was humanitarian issues even before the latest escalation, I can't imagine what the situation is right now).
There was an article on BBC News discussing a youtube video released by IDF to project the selectiveness of the attacks conducted by Israeli aircrafts - with a large caption: "Grad missiles being loaded onto the Hamas vehicle". It showed an apparently Hamas' truck being loaded with missiles and was shortly afterwards destroyed by an airstrike.
It is put up as a 'clear evidence' of how accurate their attacks were and how well justified.It was viewed 260,000 times shortly after it was released.
It turned out however that a 55 year old Gazan by the name of Ahmad Sanur, claimed that the truck was his and he and his family was moving oxygen cylinders from his workshop. An Israel human rights group B'Tselem put up his account on their website, together with burned out oxygen cylinders (pic above).
Paul Reynolds, the BBC world affairs correspondent made a rather enlightening account, "...the incident shows how an apparently definitive piece of video can turn into something much more doubtful. "
Reflecting on this, whether or not the attack struck a truck-load of missiles, it is important to acknowledge the importance of information trickery undertaken everywhere. And I mean absolutely everywhere (without dangerously going into too much details).
Remember surah al-Hujurat, ayah no 6;
"O believers! If any disobedient comes to you with any news make a strict inquiry lest you may hurt any people improperly then remain repenting on what you have done."
It is rather hard these days to get a balanced view of what's happening inside Gaza, but at least al-Jazeera is operating from within. Reports have been quite graphic hence affecting opinion everywhere especially across the Arab world.
Israel on the other hand says,"Quite a few (media) outlets are very favourable to Israel." - Major Avital Leibovich whose name is becoming quite familiar over the last few days.
As for myself, I am still rather puzzled how western medias conveniently disengage from the root of the matter; 1948.
But at least people are starting to know; not just any people, even orang putihs. Which was very well potrayed during the rallies that I attended.
Pic credit: BBC News
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