The Israeli War

[Rule303]

There are many news stories to be found on the net on the issue of Israel and Palestine...

Here's an observation.

It is said by many a world leader Israel that Yasar Arafat is a Terrorist Leader based on the attacks on Israel prior to the current insurgence of military might.

The suicide bombers, while not as effective as those of September 11, are just as disgusting.

The interview on 60 Minutes shown Globally, where the female presenter consistantly interupted the Israel Prime Minister as he answered her questions raised an issue that I think any learned person would see as obvious...

She stated how the world would condemn the death of civilians in the Israeli retalitory attacks.
She alleged that Israels actions were unreasonable...
and other allegations.

I perceive this....
As a result of the attack on America by bin Laden (or so he is accused), The US and her allies attcked Afghanistan. And sadly, civilians were killed, not intentionally (so they say) but unfortunately killed. (The Israeli Prime Minister said similar words)
He staed that he was defending his country to prevent further attacks and so on...

Is this not the same or at least similar comments made by the US's current President ?
And yet, that interviewer attempted to insinuate that Israel was wrong in what they are doing.

The US President is calling for Israel to withdraw as Yassar Arafat is surrounded and held as a virtual prisoner. Is this so much different to the allies surrounding the Tora Bora Region where bin Laden was believed to be holed up?

Maybe I'm putting too much empahasis on what the interviewer said, but I can't help but think.... "Who's calling the kettle black"?

I see the actions of both Israel and the USA in relation to terrorist attacks as virtually identical.

The Israel Prime Minister said "You must remeber. We did not start this war".
Your thoughts ?

[Rule303]

This article empahasises what I mean...

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,4090840%255E2703,00.html
Bush's patience wearing thin
By Roy Eccleston, Washington correspondent, Abraham Rabinovich, Jerusalem and agencies
April 08, 2002

TENSIONS are rising between the US and Israel after an irate George W. Bush yesterday stepped up his demand for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Palestinian territories.
As Israeli troops defied Mr Bush's calls last Thursday to end their anti-terrorism offensive, the US President issued a second public call to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, followed by a 20-minute phone call to express his "deep concern".

[paul]

Rule,

I didn't see the interview but remember this; American television and print media is very liberal and very biased. They do not report from an impartial perspective, they do not speak for the majority, and they do try to advance their own agenda. The coverage here is very much slanted against Israel. If it wern't so unpopular to do so, they would openly oppose the U.S. "war on terrorism" too. Luckily they know that if they did that it would harm their precious ratings!

I don't know why we are asking Israel to back off. I feel pretty strongly that if one of these homicidal bombings (more on this in a minute!) went off in an American mall there would be hell to pay, and rightly so, despite world opinion. I just have to hope that there are reasons for our stance that are not readily apparent to those not in the know. That hope is easier to come by with our current leadership! :)

An example of the subtle way the media tries to influence opinion. The term "suicide bombing" places the emphasis on the bomber's death. The emphasis should clearly be placed on the innocent victim's death. Thus, "homicidal bombings", in my opinion would be the honest and approprite term for the attack. Also, the media will refer to Israel's incursions or attacks into the West Bank, but they will not use the same terms when a Palestinian sets off a bomb in Israel.

I just wish the media would act responsibly and report on the conflict in an impartial manner so that people could make informed decisions on the matter. The media is losing all credibility the more they take try to influence opinion rather than report stories. Maybe that would make a good topic: "Examples of media bias". There are plenty of them out there.

[Bravo8]

I, and many other freedom-loving Americans, not only support Israel's cause 100%, we also feel that our government should support Israel anyway possible. You do not abandon your friend's in their time of need.

I am 100% behind Isreal too. Over the weekend I continued with my reading on the origins of the Israeli – Palestinian conflict. The more I read – and I make an earnest effort to read articles and histories from both points of view – the more I become convinced that we have nothing less here than an Arab campaign to remove the Israeli state from the holy lands of Islam once and for all.

There never was a Palestinian Nation. It never existed. The great Palestinian homeland is a creation of the Arab world .. a creation with no basis in fact. There is only one group of people who have lived in what is now Israel for hundreds, even thousands of years. Those people are Jews.

Arafat, by the way, is an Egyptian.