[WCUSP] The rules of covering the Israeli-Arab conflict

[Kate Zaidan]

Thought you all might find this quick read interesting. For more 
resources on media coverage in the Israeli-Arab conflict, check out 
www.ifamericansknew.org and Palestine Media Watch at www.pmwatch.org.

Kate

The rules of covering the Israeli-Arab conflict

 Rule # 1: In the Middle East, it is always the Arabs that attack first, and
it's always Israel who defends itself. This is called "retaliation".
 
Rule # 2: The Arabs, whether Palestinians or Lebanese, are not allowed to
kill Israelis. This is called "terrorism"
 
 Rule # 3: Israel has the right to kill Arab civilians; this is called
"self-defense", or these days "collateral damage".
  
  Rule # 4: When Israel kills too many civilians. The Western world calls
for restraint. This is called the "reaction of the international community".
  
  Rule # 5: Palestinians and Lebanese do not have the right to capture
Israeli military, not even a limited number, not even 1 or 2.
  
  Rule # 6: Israel has the right to capture as many Palestinians as they
want (Palestinians: around 10000 to date, 300 of which are children,
Lebanese: 1000s to date, being held without trial). There is no limit; there
is no need for proof of guilt or trial. All that is needed is the magic
word: "terrorism"
  
  Rule # 7: When you say "Hezbollah", always be sure to add "supported by
Syria and Iran"
  
  Rule # 8: When you say "Israel", never say "supported by the USA, the UK
and other European countries", for people (God forbid) might believe this is
not an equal conflict   
  
  Rule # 9: When it comes to Israel, don't mention the words "occupied
territories", "UN resolutions", "Geneva conventions". This could distress
the audience of Fox.
  
  Rule # 10: Israelis speak better English than Arabs. This is why we let
them
Speak out as much as possible, so that they can explain rules 1 through 9.
This is called "neutral journalism".
  
  Rule # 11: If you don't agree with these rules or if you favor the Arab
side over the Israeli side, you must be a very dangerous anti-Semite. You
may even have to make a public apology if you express your honest opinion
(isn't democracy wonderful?)

-- 

Kate Zaidan
Program Coordinator
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, US Section
1213 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-563-7110
www.wilpf.org

The Israeli prime minister in a live speech has just said that they are fighting the enemies of peace of Lebanon. I see. So those children that have been incinerated in Lebanon by Israeli bombing must have been enemies of peace. I will try to inform their parents.

As'ad'Abukhalil
http://angryarab.blogspot.com/