What happens when events refuse to follow the media’s preferred script? The extremist Israeli settlers are going to prove to the world that they are just as bad as Hamas. The BBC had arranged to broadcast an entire week from Gaza. But the settlers, who knew violence would alienate the Israeli populace, refused to cooperate. That did not stop the NYT editorial board. It merrily published an editorial entitled “Midsummer Mideast Madness” in which it equated the deadly Palestinian infighting which worries even the Arab press with the non-violent settlers’ efforts to show their true colors.
The truth is that Hamas must learn that elections have consequences. The primary responsibility for teaching that lesson belongs to Abbas’ government. But the Western media could help to delegitimize Hamas’ actions in the manner some of the Arab press is beginning to do: Can you believe this headline Two Palestinians killed after slaying of Israeli couple”?
posted by Judith.
The Dish 