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Cynicism Key to Israel's Arsenal

Aid to Palestinians 'not unlike raising animals for slaughter,' as Tel Aviv acts ever the victim

By Victoria Floethe, Newser User

Posted Jan 7, 2009 2:13 PM CST

(Newser) – “The promulgation of a hyper-nationalist ethos” in Israeli media coverage of the Gaza situation doesn’t surprise Neve Gordon, he writes in the Nation—what’s unsettling is the cynical war ethic emerging around humanitarian aid. As one reporter explains, Israel gives assistance to Palestinians during times of war to avoid pressure from the international community to stop the attacks—“not unlike raising animals for slaughter.”

With horrors of battle occurring ever more amid the civilian population, Gordon wonders if “the masters of war gathered together philosophers and intellectuals to develop a moral theory for postmodern wars.” Because surely, he points out, it doesn’t involve Israelis hearing how 80% of Gaza inhabitants are dependent on humanitarian assistance.

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (1)]

A column of smoke from an Israeli attack against a Palestinian target in the Gaza Strip is seen rising early on Jan. 2, 2009. (Getty Images)

An Israeli helicopter launches a missile against Hamas militants inside the Gaza Strip, Jan. 6, 2009. (Getty Images)

GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP: A Palestinian man looks through a hole in his home caused by an Israeli air strike nearby December 31, 2008. (Getty Images)

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This kind of reportage, where the huge death toll in Gaza is elided and Jewish suffering is underscored, no longer shocks me. - Neve Gordon

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 3 comments

justme

Jan 7, 2009 8:49 PM CST

I know this will be considered circular, but if Hamas (not Gazans, as you state) worked to improve the fate of their own people as hard as they work to shoot rockets at Israel, the Israelis would not be in Gaza. Their is no profit for Israel in killing Gazan civilians. Peace would be easier, cheaper and much more pleasant for them if groups like Hamas wouldn't be pledged to their destruction.

Sphinx

Jan 7, 2009 5:43 AM CST

Yeah, or you know, maybe if Israel allowed Gazans to do trade with other countries, they wouldn't feel the need to shoot rockets at them.

justme

Jan 7, 2009 2:58 AM CST

Gaza inhabitants dependent on humanitarian aid? Perhaps if Hamas were smuggling food, medicines and schoolbooks instead of rockets, life would be easier for their people.

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Cynicism Key to Israel's Arsenal