The
pro-Israel Lobby has been very busy lately, with various commentators attacking
organizations and people for their support for the BDS Movement (Boycott,
Divestments and Sanctions).
What
is it about this sort of exceptionalism of Israel that it can practice racism
and human rights abuses and seemingly decent people who would otherwise speak
out against these things don’t. And in fact go out of their way to defend
Israeli actions. Every time someone dares to criticises Israel commentators
like Bruce Loudon reply by writing articles criticizing those people concerned
about the ongoing injustice in Palestine.
These
types of opinion articles are just a way to distract attention from Israel’s
immoral behaviour and to try to discredit people trying to do something
worthwhile about it
Every
time Israel carries out another terrible atrocity, right-wing commentators
reply by writing long articles (or rehash old ones) criticizing leftists and
other caring people concerned about the ongoing injustice in Palestine. For
instance, there were a number of examples of this in the Australian newspapers
since the destructive Israeli bombardments of Gaza and the deadly Israeli
attacks on the Gaza flotilla. These writers, such as Barry Cohen claim the left
is selectively attacking Israel and ignoring or remaining silent about other
issues and not protesting against brutal massacres and repressive regimes in
other parts of the world.
I’ve
read these sort of pathetic articles before many times and I find these
assertions to be morally repugnant and deeply offensive. But, I’ve never
bothered replying to these ridiculous assertions before. I’ve decided I should
say something though, as I’m tired of hearing this deceptive stuff and thought
there could be good, well-meaning people who might be swayed by these sham
augments.
These
types of opinion articles are just a way to distract attention from Israel’s
immoral behaviour and to try to discredit the left. And a devious means to
defend Israel by promoting the idea that compared to other places Israel’s
really not that bad, so go protest somewhere else and leave Israel alone. They
claim Israel just makes mistakes, but it is not alone.
The fact is Israel has a
sordid history of dispossessing and exiling much of the Palestinan people from
their homeland, by use of organised terrorism and massacres. Israel continues
to occupy and oppress those still in Israel and refuses to allow the refugees
to return to their homes and land. Israel deserves harsh criticism, not because
it makes mistakes, but because Israel is a state built on the suppression of an
entire people. The Israeli system is deliberately designed to obliterate a
nation (Palestine), destroy a people’s culture, history and way of life and
crush their legitimate resistance. Israel does not make mere mistakes; it
practices routine methods of cruel subjugation that denies the Palestinians
political, religious and national and human rights. Think Apartheid era South
Africa.
Anyone
who reads the left and progressive press in Australia and elsewhere will see
they are full of articles attacking the repressive regimes in Burma, China,
Iran, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Turkey and other places and supporting opposition demonstrations
by dissidents. This has included good coverage of the protests held in
Australia.
On
a personal level I have been actively involved with the Palestinian solidarity
movement in Australia and overseas for over 45 years. But during that time I
have also been a member of many other organizations that supported people
struggling against oppression and occupation in Cyprus, East Timor, West Papua,
Burma, Iran, Turkey, Kurdistan, Chile, South Africa and Eritrea among others.
Over the years I have also attended protests, written letters, signed petitions
and spoken out about other places where people are suffering and defying
dictatorial regimes, such as in China, Sudan, Sri Lanka and supported their
just struggles. The fact is there are many other people like me who support the
Palestinians, but are also actively campaigning against human rights abuses,
wars and other issues in various countries around the world.
Another
thing to state on this is that these writers are paid a lot of money by the
mainstream media to make up provocative, opinion stories to harm the reputation
of protestors who express indignation on the Palestine tragedy and other
important issues. I find it grossly offensive that they callously use the
misery of other people suffering in different conflicts in their efforts to
cover the morally wrong actions of Israel.
What
these commentators are really saying to those people who care about injustice
in the world, is be concerned and upset about the rest of the world’s troubles,
but forget about the Palestinians. Israel is an exception and beyond reproach.
In doing so they are defending the indefensible, because according to them, no
matter what Israel does, Israel is blameless. These commentators are the ones
being hypocritical by their selective compassion. They are in reality
apologists for Israel by ignoring the plight of the Palestinians and excusing
Israeli crimes.
100 per cent. This is a massive problem. What can you do apart from highlight it. Its the same all over the world. American populace think they are peacekeepers and liberators, the Brits think they are separating catholics and protestants in Ireland, Israelis see themselves as defenders. It's just easier to believe shite than face the truth.
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