In the past 12 hours, Israel has made headlines for two major events – the bombing of Beirut and the assassination of a top political figure in Hamas. These incidents have caused widespread devastation and loss of innocent lives. Yet, the media seems to be more focused on the empathy and ceasefire negotiations offered by US Vice President Kamala Harris. This begs the question, why is the media glorifying Harris’ words instead of focusing on the atrocities committed by Israel?
On August 9th, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Beirut, targeting a Palestinian refugee camp and a residential building in the city. This attack resulted in the death of at least seven people, including women and children. It is a blatant violation of international law and a clear disregard for the lives and rights of innocent civilians. However, instead of condemning this act of aggression, the media has chosen to highlight Harris’ “empathy-speak” and her calls for ceasefire negotiations.
Similarly, on the same day, Israel carried out a targeted assassination of the political head of Hamas, Ahmed al-Jabari. This was followed by a barrage of airstrikes that killed many more innocent civilians. The media coverage, once again, focused more on Harris’ calls for “ceasefire negotiations” rather than condemning the illegal and immoral actions of Israel.
This biased coverage raises the question – why is the media choosing to overlook the atrocities committed by Israel and instead, focusing on the words of Harris? The answer lies in the political agenda of the media and the manipulation of public perception.
Harris’ “empathy-speak” and her appeals for ceasefire negotiations may seem like a genuine effort to bring peace and stability to the region. However, in reality, it is a carefully crafted narrative to distract the public from the true face of Israel’s aggression. By highlighting Harris’ words, the media is creating a false sense of hope and portraying her as a beacon of peace. This not only obscures the gravity of the situation but also shifts the blame from Israel to the Palestinian resistance.
It is no secret that the US has been a staunch ally of Israel and has provided unwavering support to their actions. This includes providing them with billions of dollars in military aid, turning a blind eye to their human rights violations, and vetoing any attempt by the United Nations to hold them accountable for their actions. Hence, it is not surprising that Harris’ words are being portrayed as a beacon of hope, despite the US’ complicity in the ongoing aggression against Palestinians.
Furthermore, the media’s focus on Harris’ words also serves to downplay the severity of the situation. By constantly highlighting calls for ceasefire negotiations, they are shifting the narrative away from the fact that innocent lives are being lost every day. It is almost as if they are saying that as long as there is talk of a ceasefire, the ongoing violence and destruction can be overlooked.
Moreover, the glorification of Harris’ words also serves to create a false sense of neutrality. By portraying both Israel and Palestine as equal parties in this conflict, the media is ignoring the power dynamics at play. Israel is an occupying power, while Palestine is a colonized and oppressed people. The violence and aggression being carried out by Israel cannot be equated with the resistance shown by Palestinians. Yet, by focusing solely on Harris’ words, the media perpetuates the false idea of two equal sides engaged in a conflict.
In conclusion, it is disheartening to see the media’s biased coverage and glorification of Harris’ words. While her calls for empathy and ceasefire negotiations may seem like a step towards peace, the reality is far from it. The ongoing violence and aggression by Israel cannot be brushed under the carpet by appealing for negotiations. It is high time for the media to hold Israel accountable for its actions and to stop glorifying the words of politicians, who are complicit in the ongoing oppression and violence against Palestinians. As responsible citizens, it is our duty to demand fair and unbiased coverage from the media and to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
