Why, spin the story and skew the information so that only the negative things about Israel come to light!
Have you seen the newspapers around you? What's the headline?
I mean, if you look at the report, Jpost sums up quite nicely the 5 main points:
According to Israeli officials, the 102-page report comes to the following conclusions:
- Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza was legal, as was the interception of vessels trying to break the blockade.
- The IHH activists behind the flotilla were looking for a violent provocation.
- Turkey had a role with the IHH in the flotilla setting sail.
- The IDF soldiers defended themselves after coming up against premeditated violence by those on the ship.
- The IDF soldiers used excessive force.
Now, the first four points were obvious and known since day one, though it's nice to have recognition from the UN about that (for what little their opinion counts).
That last point, that's where you see that these inquiries are done by people wearing suits who've had a nice, safe, desk job all their life.
The report admits that the IDF faced significant premeditated violence, yet concludes that its response was disproportionate, due to the dead being shot at close range, multiple times, etc. Given the fact that the commandos were being attacked at close range, wouldn't it make sense that they defend themselves in the same manner?
I mean, what is this whole shtick about "disproportionate force" anyway? In a battle, there's always one side stronger than the other, no? The stronger side will use all it can (especially at moments of distress such as the Mavi Marmara attack) in order to have the upper hand. And when it comes to life and death (the "peace activists" on board were going to kill them, were they not?), the commandos will obviously use that upper hand in order to not die. Since when does the enemy have the right to dictate what force you should use? If the "peace activists" only use iron bars and knives, what advantage is permitted to the commandos? Thicker bars? Or are the commandos supposed to make a quick estimation of the level of the forces attacking them, and then resort the their elementary Krav Maga courses (but nothing after the third course, because that would be disproportionate).
Now, I know the UN suffers from a serious Israel Double Standard ailment, and I've come to terms with it. (In fact, Turkey is rebuffing the findings... didn't see that one coming, now, did we?)
So, all things considered, I find that it's almost a balanced report, coming from them. (Well, except for the fact that The report recommends that Israel make “an appropriate statement of regret" and pay compensation to Turkey. Why don't the Turks need to apologize for creating this mess? And doesn't the fact that Israel has already said it would pay compensation through a fund set up by the Turkish government count for something? I digress.)
So anyway, a somewhat balanced report, which goes against the general media narrative that Israel is a cruel diabolical oppressor. What's the mainstream media to do? I know! Let's spin the story so that only Israel's faults are highlighted! We refuse to let tiny, insignificant details such as facts get in our way of demonizing Israel!
So here are the headlines around here (no links because I don't want to give them traffic, but you know where to find them)
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| UN judge Israeli raid on Gaza flotilla to be "excessive" - France24 |
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| Gaza Flotilla: UN judges blockade to be legal but criticizes Israeli raid - Le Monde |
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| Flotilla: UN report judges Israeli raid as "excessive" (with a picture of Israeli supporters at a soccer match, wtf?) - La Libre |
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| BBC News - the link to the story on the main page |
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| BBC News - the headline after people bothered to click |
How, when so much of the report is about the legality of the blockade AND its enforcement, the premeditated violence which was on board, the implication of the Turkish government, etc. how is the main attraction of the article "the excessive force used by Israel"?
Now many people just sort of skim through the headlines, and that's how they get a general idea of what's going on in the world. For the people actually bothering to click and read more, it doesn't get better. It gives details about how brutal the Israeli commandos were on board, how unnecessary the force was. Ridiculous. I'm guessing they would have approved if we just torpedoed the bloody boat? Doesn't the fact that nothing happened on the other boats give you a clue as to where the real problem was?
Anyway, it's business as usual for those busy demonizing Israel.
If you see incredibly slanted headlines/news pieces from so-called respectable news reporters, don't forget to give a heads up to our friends at Honest Reporting, who always do a great job.
And now for something completely different...
Honest Reporting's spin on Monty Python - the Light Side of Life
And they're giving away Life of Brian DVDs! Enter here to try
(This way I can end this post on a less depressing note :) )
Related links:
Foreign Ministry preparing for release of Palmer Report
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