Post by Teddy Bear on Jan 26, 2007 18:33:19 GMT
The BBC makes a point to report on the number of civilians killed or injured whenever Israeli troops are involved in any conflict with Palestinians or Hizbollah. I always wonder how they're really able to determine this number properly. Terrorists, or 'militants', as the BBC likes to refer to them, don't wear 'military' uniforms to distinguish themselves, in fact they often masquerade in any guise that they feel will enable them to reach their target. It's also more common than not that they use human shields, in other words women and children in front of them so that if Israeli troops retalliate these civilians will be shot, and the media can then vilify Israeli for indiscriminate slaughter of 'CIVILIANS'. The BBC, among many others, has been happy to play this game thereby ensuring that this conflict will continue ad nauseum.
Whether these civilians who offer themselves as a human shield are volunteers or forced to remain among these terrorists during conflict I can't say for sure, and perhaps it's a little of both, but there have been many pictures taken of Palestinian gunmen surrounded by children whilst firing on Israeli troops. These children seem almost to be playing a game of 'chicken' as if to get shot gives a similar kudos as getting an ASBO here.
So technically, if 'civilians' are assisting 'militants' wearing civilian garb, aren't they all really 'militants' at best, or actually 'terrorists' to give them their proper name.
In any event, why is it, when Palestinian 'factions' (another word for 'militant groups') are having a gunfight, and supporters from either side, but not the militants themselves, are shot, the BBC refers to them as 'supporters' or 'members' but not once as CIVILIANS.
Could the BBC be trying to quell any emotions one might have if they used 'innocent civilians' being killed when it's between Palestinians, but quite the opposite when applied to Israel?
Whether these civilians who offer themselves as a human shield are volunteers or forced to remain among these terrorists during conflict I can't say for sure, and perhaps it's a little of both, but there have been many pictures taken of Palestinian gunmen surrounded by children whilst firing on Israeli troops. These children seem almost to be playing a game of 'chicken' as if to get shot gives a similar kudos as getting an ASBO here.
So technically, if 'civilians' are assisting 'militants' wearing civilian garb, aren't they all really 'militants' at best, or actually 'terrorists' to give them their proper name.
In any event, why is it, when Palestinian 'factions' (another word for 'militant groups') are having a gunfight, and supporters from either side, but not the militants themselves, are shot, the BBC refers to them as 'supporters' or 'members' but not once as CIVILIANS.
Could the BBC be trying to quell any emotions one might have if they used 'innocent civilians' being killed when it's between Palestinians, but quite the opposite when applied to Israel?
Renewed Gaza factional violence
Hamas supporters gathered en masse to mark their election win
Four people have died in new violence in Gaza between the rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah.
One Fatah member was killed when Hamas militants surrounded a building, and a Hamas supporter was also shot dead.
There were clashes overnight as a Hamas member died in what the group said was a roadside bomb attack on a convoy.
The clashes come as Hamas supporters gathered to mark a year since victory in Palestinian elections, and after a period of relative calm.
Hamas, which runs the Palestinian Authority, said whoever carried out the overnight bombing would be hunted down.
Hours later, a Fatah member was killed in an attack at his home. Fatah described his killing as an execution but Hamas said he died in a gun battle.
The latest attacks follow a recent period of factional fighting in which more than 30 people were killed.
Fears
The BBC's Alan Johnson in Gaza says that over the past couple of weeks Gaza has actually enjoyed a lull in this kind of violence.
Gaza has seen a relative lull in factional violence in recent weeks
He says there is now extreme tension in the Jabaliya refugee camp.
The violence has come despite ongoing dialogue between Fatah and Hamas.
For many months they have been trying to put aside their rivalry and form a new government of national unity.
But their divisions are deep, our correspondent says.
They are fuelled by bitter personal animosities and real divisions over how best to confront Israel and its occupation of the Palestinian territories.