Over 3000 journalists in Gaza: one Western journalist in Lhasa

The imbalance is mind bloggling.

According to Justin Kilcullen, over 3,000 journalists (mostly European), covered Israel’s disengagement from Gaza in 2005. In 2008, one single Western journalist is in Lhasa covering the anti-Chinese uprising in Tibet. These figures tell us a lot about media priorities and NGOs’ political agendas. Above all, they als tell us about democracy, tolerance and freedom of speech in Israel.

Gaza August 2005
(From "Gaza strip: An open air prison?", by Justin Kilcullen, Director of Trócaire, the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland, and head of CONCORD, the powerful European confederation of 1,600 NGOs across 21 countries for relief and development.)

"Last December I turned up at a border crossing leading from Israel to the infamous Gaza strip as part of a delegation of Catholic development agencies. I was looking forward to the visit, to seeing first-hand the situation in which thousands of Palestinians were living. But four hours later I walked away, together with half the group, refused entry by Israeli security because our papers for entry did not have the required approvals. While the Palestinians living within this small piece of land could not get out, I could not get in. (…)

Over 3,000 journalists are expected to descend on the Gaza strip in the coming days to watch the dismantling of the 17 settlements that have been occupied by roughly 8,000 Israeli settlers since the war in 1967."

Tibet March 2008
Lhasa: one Western journalist, James Miles of The Times.
"Midnight ultimatum for Tibet showdown", by James Miles, "The only Western journalist in Lhasa reports from a city gripped by fear".

NGO Monitor has been looking at Trócaire's anti-Israeli activities:

"Ignoring the campaign of Palestinian suicide bombings and terror attacks, Trocaire claims its "work in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) began in 2002 in response to the unprecedented levels of military confrontation and restrictions on the movement of Palestinians imposed by the Israeli army." In his introduction to the organization’s 2005/6 Annual Report, Trocaire’s Director, Justin Kilcullen, writes that he was "shocked at seeing people stripped of their dignity at checkpoints, or separated from their farms . . . . I saw cities and towns that had simply died through economic strangulation as the Wall enclosed them." He also alleges that "it is because of these injustices that Trocaire is involved in the region." Kilcullen makes no mention of the Israelis killed and maimed by the "injustices" of Palestinian terror, nor that the violation of Israeli human rights motivated the organization to get "involved in the region".

On Trocaire’s Webpage for International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Trocaire relies on sources lacking credibility, including B’tselem, and John Dugard. The text refers to Gaza as "the world’s largest prison"; ignores continued Qassam rocket attacks on Israeli civilians; and advocates for Palestinian claim to a “right of return”. (...)

In 2007, Trocaire joined an NGO coalition spearheaded by Badil to implement the organization’s "Call to Action", a strategy which includes anti-Israel boycott and sanction campaigns; efforts to "[e]nlist journalists to organize a targeted campaign to expose the lies of AIPAC and the Anti-Defamation League and to expose the Jewish and Zionist community's double standards regarding Nakba & Occupation"; and enlisting the help of anti-Israel "Jewish" NGOs to "rais[e] awareness of the . . . right of return among the Jewish public in Israel."
"Protests near Labrang Monastery. (Photo: TCHRD)

Lebanon war mock tribunal condemns Israel and U.S.

Follow-up on:
Israel on trial in Brussels - a prelude to Durban II?
The latest in a long list of initiatives in Europe to demonise Israel

John Catalinotto reports on the condemnation of Israel by the "Peoples' Court".
From the Ramsey Clark's International Action Center website

"A four-member jury of distinguished legal officials, after hearing and considering two days of intense, moving and precise testimony at the International Associations Center in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 24 found the Israeli state guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in its 2006 war on Lebanon.

Some 250 people filling the center stood as one to applaud as Judge Adolfo Abascal from Cuba finished reading the decision. Those in the courtroom, many from Lebanon or from the Lebanese diaspora, already knew or had heard enough to make up their minds. But a formal decision based on a body of evidence can more effectively counter reactionary imperialist propaganda in the corporate media.
(…)
The organizers counted on the media coverage of the hearing - which was broadcast throughout the Arab world and in Latin America in whole or in part - to bring a convincing statement of Israeli guilt of serious war crimes to their audiences throughout the world. In the imperialist countries it will be up to progressive media and organizations in solidarity with the liberation struggles to spread the news of the tribunal.

There was representative support from organizations in Europe and the U.S., including present and former European Union parliamentary members Louisa Morgantini from Italy and Miguel Urbano Rodrigues from Portugal, and former MP Ángeles Maestro from Spain. Human rights, anti-war and anti-imperialist organizations sent representatives to watch, participate and report on the hearings.
(…)
Introducing the verdict, Justice Lilia Solana made sure to also inculpate the United States for its complicity in the war. The final decision was that the judges "declare the Israeli authorities in charge of the 2006 war against Lebanon guilty of the following international crimes:
1. war crimes
2. crimes against humanity
3. genocide."

Final verdict here

Whereas John Catalinotto indicated that the organizers "counted on the media coverage of the hearing - which was broadcast throughout the Arab world and in Latin America" (organized in Europe for the Arab world – this is intriguing!) Miguel Tavares Rodrigues (an 83-old Portuguese communist) offered a conspirationist and more colourful version of the trials and tribulations of the Peoples' court and their supporters (translated for this blog):

"Al Jazeera TV broadcast the proceedings in full to Arab countries. The so-called mainstream European, as well as Belgian, media ignored the event.
Their silence was the result of pressure from the US Embassy in Brussels, but mainly from the Israeli Embassy, which lobbied actively with a view to preventing the Tribunal from meeting in the Belgian capital city.
The event venue had to be changed because of intimidation and foreign delegations also had to change hotels due to Israeli pressure.
Distinguished members of the organizing committee received repeated phone threats.
It became clear that Mossad, the Israeli political police, operatives were very active before and during the event.
Lawyers and magistrates were unable to attend because they were not granted visas.
Sabotage attempts to prevent the Tribunal from successfully fulfilling its mission failed."

US State Department releases report on global anti-Semitism

Via Engage

"Below is a brief excerpt from the Report outlining contemporary anti-Semitism:

"Anti-Semitism has proven to be an adaptive phenomenon. New forms of anti-Semitism have evolved. They often incorporate elements of traditional anti-Semitism. However, the distinguishing feature of the new anti-Semitism is criticism of Zionism or Israeli policy that - whether intentionally or unintentionally - has the effect of promoting prejudice against all Jews by demonizing Israel and Israelis and attributing Israel’s perceived faults to its Jewish character.

This new anti-Semitism is common throughout the Middle East and in Muslim communities in Europe, but it is not confined to these populations. For example, various United Nations bodies are asked each year on multiple occasions to commission investigations of what often are sensationalized reports of alleged atrocities and other violations of human rights by Israel. Various bodies have been set up within the UN system with the sole purpose of reporting on what is assumed to be ongoing, abusive Israeli behavior. The motive for such actions may be to defuse an immediate crisis, to show others in the Middle East that there are credible means of addressing their concerns other than resorting to violence, or to pursue other legitimate ends. But the collective effect of unremitting criticism of Israel, coupled with a failure to pay attention to regimes that are demonstrably guilty of grave violations, has the effect of reinforcing the notion that the Jewish state is one of the sources, if not the greatest source, of abuse of the rights of others, and thus intentionally or not encourages anti-Semitism.

Comparing contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis is increasingly commonplace. Anti-Semitism couched as criticism of Zionism or Israel often escapes condemnation since it can be more subtle than traditional forms of anti-Semitism, and promoting anti-Semitic attitudes may not be the conscious intent of the purveyor. Israel’s policies and practices must be subject to responsible criticism and scrutiny to the same degree as those of any other country. At the same time, those criticizing Israel have a responsibility to consider the effect their actions may have in prompting hatred of Jews. At times hostility toward Israel has translated into physical violence directed at Jews in general. There was, for example, a sharp upsurge in anti-Semitic incidents worldwide during the conflict between Hizballah and Israel in the summer of 2006.(…)

Today, more than 60 years after the Holocaust, anti-Semitism is not just a fact of history, it is a current event.""

Please read the entire report here and the European Union definition of anti-Semitism(European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC)) here.

Poll: More Americans are pro-Israeli (71%)

New Gallup survey reveals Israel is one of five countries Americans feel most favorably about; Palestinian Authority ranks near bottom along with Iran, North Korea, Yetnews

"Americans are decidedly more pro-Israeli these days, at least according to a new poll published on Thursday by the Gallup Organization. Gallup’s survey data revealed that 71% of Americans look favorably upon the State of Israel, a rise of some 8% from last year’s figures. (...)

Republicans, revealed the Gallup data, are emphatically more pro-Israeli in their views than their Democratic counterparts. A staggering 84% of Republicans indicated that they supported the State of Israel, as compared to only 64% of Democrats.

In respect to the Palestinian Authority, only a measly 16% of Democratic Party voters, and 15% of Republicans indicated that they looked favorably upon the PA.

Which countries are Americans most partial to? The Gallup poll, which asked respondents to rank their attitude regarding 22 countries worldwide, revealed that while Israel and France have made the greatest strides with the American public, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan are most popular with Americans, with an approval rating of nearly 80%.

Conversely, Iraq, the Palestinian Authority, Iran and North Korea are least popular with the American public, with only 20% of Americans indicating that they support these countries. (...)

Israel’s Ambassador to Washington Salai Meridor, said in response to the Gallup data that "this is yet another indication of the strong bond shared by Israel and the American people. The friendship between our two countries is especially critical now at days as both our countries wage a prolonged and drawn out battle against terror.”
Via Simply Jews

Israelis compared to Nazi SS on Belgian radio blog

These are some of the comments (translated for this blog) posted on the Belgian public radio (RTBF, French-speaking) website (comments are moderated!) following the interview of Ms. Tamar Samash, Israeli Ambassador to Belgium, on March 10.

It seems that defamation of Israelis and Jews by malicious association with the most powerful symbols of evil (Nazis, S.S., tumours, genocide perpetrators, child killers, land grabbers etc.) does not count as anti-Semitism any more - it has become, in some quarters, acceptable criticism. No other groups or countries are vilified in this way.

"At 17 your people are children (but at 18 they are soldiers !). The babies on the other side are terrorists. Shut up, Madam! You resort to doublepeak like your predecessors. Anne-Françoise"

"Each time I listen to Israeli representatives, I am disgusted. You have created an open air prison. All the resources of the region belong to you. You steal their land (colonies). You ask them not to attack Israel, but you carry on stealing their land for your benefit. If I were Palestinian, I would act like them. Stop being hypocrites, you do not want peace. You want their land! You are doing to the Palestinians what the SS did to the Jews! Vincent"

"During the second world war, my father protected Jewish children thus saving their lives. He did not act out of "love" for Jews, but for the good of humanity, out of love for human beings, out of love for children. He would turn in his grave if he witnessed the atrocities inflicted on the Palestinians, by other human beings, by the very people he helped to save. LeSauveur"

"When will Israel realise that it is no longer the Jews who are the victims of today’s Holocaust? This would surely help counter anti-Semitism (which they confuse - deliberately - with anti-Israel sentiment...). Philippe Sergeant"

"Israel was granted more than 55 percent of historic Palestine land by the League of Nations (United Nations) even though the land did not belong to it … but they have not had enough… Their bad faith is sordid and scandalous. LD"

"Madam, When you speak you should mention a story you seem to forget. The existence of the State Israel was the result of a "cowardly" United Nations decision in favour of a people who had indeed suffered, but to whom a state was offered within a Palestinian state [sic]. (…) There is no doubt that the Jews have suffered, but you are among the wealthiest people in the world, why then build borders on a territory you ought to share. The Panda"

"I listened to the new ambassador. She made me feel nauseous and made me want to vomit… No, Madam, Israel has never made a single mistake: it is us who do not belong to the "Chosen People", it is us who are "Cattle", who are guilty: we perpetrated a crime against Humanity when, in 1948, we allowed the triumph of Zionism, a "Tumour in the midst of Judaism". For the last 60 years, Palestinians have been paying every day with their blood for our boundless cowardice. Israel does not want peace. Patiently, it grabs the whole land through ethnic cleansing - a slow genocide. Are all your new historians who, very courageously revealed the historic truth, traitors? Madam, your founding myths have been blown apart: your position is … pathetic. Jacques Rossignol"

Zionism, a "Tumour in the midst of Judaism", Belgian radio forum

The newly appointed Israeli ambassador to Belgium, Tamar Samash, was interviewed yesterday by the Belgian state radio (RTBF, French-speaking). The following comment was posted on the RTBF website forum - comments on the forum are moderated...

"I listened to the new ambassador. She made me feel nauseous and made me want to vomit…

No, Madam, Israel has never made a single mistake: it is us who do not belong to the "Chosen People", it is us who are "Cattle", who are guilty: we perpetrated a crime against Humanity when, in 1948, we allowed the triumph of Zionism, a "Tumour in the midst of Judaism". For the last 60 years, Palestinians have been paying every day with their blood for our boundless cowardice. Israel does not want peace. Patiently, it grabs the whole land through ethnic cleansing - a slow genocide.

Are all your new historians who, very courageously revealed the historic truth, traitors? Madam, your founding myths have been blown apart: your position is … pathetic.

Jacques Rossignol"

The RTBF is well known for its anti-Israeli stance. Recently Shoah survivors and Sderot residents were qualified as colonialists.

Who else has been saying that Israel is a tumour ? Perish the thought: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Khaled Meshal ! And what is to be done with a tumour? It has to be removed.

AFP: "Ahmadinejad, who sparked an international outcry in October when he said Israel "must be wiped off the map", also repeated his view Thursday that the Jewish state was a "tumour"."

The Times: "Iran’s hardline president provoked international outrage yesterday by saying that the "tumour" of Israel should be moved to Europe to foster peace in the Middle East."

BBC: "Arab countries are trying to forget the existence of a cancerous tumour in the heart of the World of Islam and are closing their eyes to this real enemy of Muslims... The Islamic Republic of Iran and any other country that enjoys sovereignty should do their best to launch an Islamic anti-Zionist movement against Israel." (Editorial in Iranian Jomhuri-ye-Eslami)

Dr. Majid Goudarzi: "I hope that one day humanity will reach the conclusion that the only solution for this cancerous tumor is surgery.", Iran TV Discussion on the Myth of the Gas Chambers and the Truth of Protocols of the Elders of Zion; "The Only Solution for This Cancerous Tumor [Israel] is Surgery""

Haaretz: "Exiled Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Meshal on Thursday called Israel a "cancer that must be pulled out by its roots"."

Swiss blasted for anti-Israel UN vote

Canada opposed the anti-Israel UN vote while Switzerland supported it
Haviv Retting in the TJP reports:

"Switzerland has "joined forces with countries that have little regard for human rights" in its vote in support of a UN Human Rights Council resolution on Thursday condemnding Israel over the escalating violence in Gaza, according to the American Jewish Committee.

In a letter to Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey on Sunday, the AJC blasted the move as "detrimental" to "efforts to rectify the situation in the Human Rights Council, and even more importantly, to promote peace in the Middle East."

"Most appallingly, the resolution fails to even mention the terror attack perpetrated last week by a Palestinian gunman against a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem, in which eight students were murdered, although this heinous crime was committed on the same day that the Human Rights Council adopted its resolution," reads the letter, signed by AJC's director David Harris and president Richard Sideman.

The resolution condemning the situation in Gaza was adopted by a vote of 33 to 1, with 16 abstentions. Canada was the only state to vote against the resolution, which made no mention of terrorism or Hamas. All Western states abstained on the vote except Switzerland.

According to the AJC, "by some accounts, the Swiss delegation actively lobbied the EU and other countries to support the Arab-sponsored draft in exchange for minor amendments."

"The idea that reasonable countries rooted in democratic values can't distinguish between the arsonist and the fireman, the terrorist and the peace-seeker, despotic Hamas and democratic Israel is dismaying," Harris told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.

Israel was having a difficult time explaining its position in Europe because "the Europeans are so far removed in recent years from immediate conflict situations or threats to their borders," Harris added. "In the Middle East, either you beat the bully or you get eaten by the bully. Maybe if Switzerland had Hamas on its borders, it would have a different perspective.""

Excerpt from AJC's letter to the Swiss Foreign Minister:
"In our various meetings with you over the past two years, we have shared with you our concerns regarding the situation in the Human Rights Council, which has totally betrayed the mandate given to it by the UN General Assembly in 2006. The Council, we have told you, has been derailed by countries that have little regard for human rights, and whose only agenda, it seems, is to single out and censure Israel. We deeply regret that last Thursday your Government saw fit to join forces with such countries, to the detriment of efforts to rectify the situation in the Human Rights Council, and even more importantly, to promote peace in the Middle East."