Pretzel reporting

 

It's really amazing what some reporters - or editors (I've been on both sides of the desk) - will do to "twist" a story to their editorial point of view (without actually stating "Editorial").

The following BBC article is an excellent case in point.

The BBC, never a friend of Israel, starts off with kudos for the Jewish state - Israel is allowing (giving?) "around 3,000" head of "cows" into Aza (Gaza) for the Moslem celebration of Eid al-Adha.

Anyway, the article quickly turns from Israel's "good deed" to the plight of the so-called "Palestinians" in Hamas-controlled Aza.

Seems the Azans can't rebuild the homes destroyed when Israel invaded Aza - lest we forget as the BBC apparently forgets - to put an end to Hamas rocket attacks on Israel.

Israel, the story states, embargos building materials it fears will be used against it.

But, the article goes on, the UN - those people who allowed Hamas to fire at Israelis from its building in Aza - promises to make sure Hamas won't get the materials.

Interestingly, the BBC article notes, albeit only in passing, that "As a result of the Israeli blockade, most fresh meat is brought into Gaza THROUGH SMUGGLING TUNNELS UNDER THE BORDER WITH EGYPT, WHICH HAS ALSO IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS. Live animals are scarce and expensive."

Egypt - a Moslem country - is blocking its border to prevent FELLOW MOSLEMS from entering. Understand that Egypt, in its deal with Begin, refused to accept Aza as part of its country; Begin's biggest mistake of his political career. (Jordan doesn't want it either - nor does it want the occupied "West Bank," remembering "Black September" when these same people tried to assassinate the royal family and topple the government._

The BBC article includes two photos credited to the AP - one, a tight shot of cattle that could have been taken in Texas, and one of a woman in Islamic garb standing outside a tent. It also has a pull-out of a statement by Maxwell Gaylard, the UN's Humanitarian Co-ordinator, stating how "miserable" life is in Aza.

So, read on and learn how the BBC twists a humanitarian good will gesture by Israel into a condemnation of the only country that seems willing to help the people of Aza, people who routinely try to murder the people that help them..

Yohanon Glenn
Yohanon.Glenn @ gmail dot com

 

Israel allows Eid cows into Gaza
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8352076.stm

Sheep or cows are traditionally slaughtered on Eid al-Adha

Israel is temporarily easing its blockade of Gaza to allow in thousands of cattle ahead of a Muslim festival.

Around 3,000 cows are expected to be shipped into the coastal territory before Eid al-Adha in late November.

Earlier, a UN humanitarian official said thousands of Gazans whose homes were destroyed in Israel's offensive in December faced another winter in tents.

The Israeli authorities have restricted the importation of building materials since imposing a blockade in 2007.

They say cement, steel and other raw materials could be used for military purposes by the Islamist group Hamas, which controls Gaza.

'Living in tents'

On Monday, 330 cows were brought into Gaza through a southern border crossing in a move that a spokesman for the Israeli military spokesman said was a "goodwill gesture".

During Eid al-Adha, Muslims who can afford to, slaughter livestock, usually sheep or cows, in remembrance of the prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to.

As a result of the Israeli blockade, most fresh meat is brought into Gaza through smuggling tunnels under the border with Egypt, which has also imposed restrictions. Live animals are scarce and expensive.

During a tour of the territory on Monday, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for the Palestinian Territories, Maxwell Gaylard, said the border restrictions were also severely limiting the ability of people to rebuild homes destroyed in the Israel's 22-day offensive last December and January. The UN estimates around 20,000 Gaza residents were made homeless.

"We know that there are hundreds of families still living in tents. We know that there are more than that living in the ruins of their own homes," he told reporters.

The UN says 20,000 Gazans were made homeless by the Israeli offensive

"They need materials to repair their houses. They need fuel to be able to keep warm during the winter. They need good water and sanitation systems."

The UN has lobbied Israel for months to allow in materials that would allow it to complete construction projects worth $80m. Mr Gaylard said the organisation had repeatedly promised Israeli officials that they would not allow Hamas to use the materials.

"For the people in Gaza, life is miserable, life is not getting better, winter is coming, the rain is coming," he added.

Palestinians and human rights groups say more than 1,400 Gazans were killed during Israel's offensive, but Israel puts the figure at 1,166. Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, died.