Britannia Radio

Just Journalism Newsletter   1 June 2010

Gaza flotilla interception: The editorials As the fallout continues from yesterday's fatal confrontation between Israeli soldiers and convoy participants on board the Mavi Marmara, here are the official views of today's broadsheets: Both The Guardian and Financial Times issued scathing critiques of Israel's conduct, the latter describing the boarding of the ship as a 'brazen act of piracy' and '[o]utrageous'. In 'Gaza: From blockade to bloodshed' The Guardian compared Israel to 'Somali pirates' and labelled the country a 'pariah state' on account of its military. The leader also presented a contradictory position on the violence perpetrated against Israeli soldiers who boarded the ship. On the one hand, The Guardian portrayed such violence as inevitable, saying, 'What did the commandos expect pro-Palestinian activists to do once they boarded the ships - invite them aboard for a cup of tea with the captain on the bridge?' However, immediately after this, the piece cast doubt on whether Israeli commandos had, in fact, faced any real threat, saying (insincerely) of a Greek man, purportedly shot by Israel, 'Presumably he, too, was threatening the lives of Israeli naval commandos.' The Independent's 'A costly misjudgement by Israel' reserved judgment regarding the facts of what took place on board the boat, opening, 'Exactly what happened in the eastern Mediterranean in the pre-dawn hours of yesterday remains to be clarified' and describing the picture as '[c]onfused'. However, the newspaper was decisive in condemning Israel's resort to force, contending that it 'conforms to a pattern that has become all too familiar' - a reference to the apparent deployment of tactics 'out of all proportion to the circumstances'. The Daily Telegraph, too, opened with a statement of uncertainty about what precisely had taken place: 'It is not yet clear exactly what happened yesterday as the Free Gaza flotilla approached the coast.' However, the main focus of the piece was the deterioration in relations between Israel and Turkey and the wider strategic implications of the incident. To continue reading, click here. Peace activists or violent agitators: How the media narrative on flotilla incident is shaping up With the Israeli government standing firm on their claim that IDF soldiers were met with severe violence from Gaza aid convoy participants, Just Journalism will be following developments closely and publishing new information on a rolling basis. Before the incident had occurred, MEMRI had published this footage, with Arabic to English translation, showing participants on board one of the ships chanting violent anti-Jewish slogans before setting sail. The activists shout: 'Khaybar, Khaybar, oh Jews, the army of Muhammed will return' - a reference to a seventh century attack in Khayber, Arabia, by Muhammed and his followers against Jews. A female activist on the boat is also translated as saying, 'We are now waiting for one of two good things - either to achieve martyrdom or to reach Gaza.' The same chants invoking Khayber were also played on loudspeaker to a huge crowd gathered on Saturday in Istanbul to see off the flotilla, as has been broadcast by Turkish television. This footage also includes the repetition of 'Intifadah! Intifadah!' Furthermore, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Saturday revealed his view that an interception of the flotilla by Israel would be as much a victory as reaching Gaza. The Jerusalem Post reported: "If the ships reach Gaza, it's a victory for Gaza," Haniyeh told some 400 supporters after touring Gaza City's small fishing harbor, where several smaller vessels breaking the blockade have docked in the past. "If they are intercepted and terrorized by the Zionists, it will be a victory for Gaza, too, and they will move again in new ships to break the siege of Gaza." Given the current media narrative of peace activists versus a conventional army, it will be telling, whether this sort of information finds its way into any mainstream coverage of this story. So far, the BBC , The Guardian, The Independent, The Times, The Daily Telegraph and the FT have not included information about these prior demonstrations of militancy amongst the convoy participants. To continue reading and to view more footage, click here. For more information about Just Journalism, or to contact us, please visit www.justjournalism.com