Israel drew first blood

Americans are really good at not thinking critically. As long as the news supports our comfortable world view we'll accept the headlines. We don't ask tough questions and we don't dig for other perspectives and detail. Regarding Israel, we want to believe that Israel acted out in self-defense and is therefore the good guy whom we support and defend. Unfortunately, that view is a lie fed by media propaganda and digested by lazy Americans.

In the words of Rambo, Israel drew first blood. The original act of violence was Israel's invasion and occupation of Palestinian land. Palestinians are forced to live separate and unequal lives from Israelis in refugee camps like Gaza. With a blockade in place, the people of Gaza began to wilt under the poor conditions and general lack of everything except dispare. Though a cease fire is in place, the Israelis mounted an incursion into Gaza killing two Palestinians. Hammas defends itself and retaliates with rocket strikes but is accused of violating the cease fire. This situation is used as pretext for a massive and disproportional Israeli invasion of Gaza which brutally kills civilians.

However, that is not the same story we hear in the American press. Israel is set up as the victim despite their initial aggression. Israel's overwhelming and disproportional military response is glossed over. Though more people are killed each year in auto accidents in Israel then the total killed by Hammas, car makers aren't labeled as terrorists. With the death of a single Israeli soldier the press offers extensive coverage while the deaths of dozens of Palestinian children goes unnoticed. The coverage is biased and full of pro-Israeli and militaristic rhetoric.

But there is an alternative to CNN, BBC and Fox News. The World Wide Web has been a clearing house for more accurate and in-depth information on this latest Israeli conflict. Don't miss reading these essays and get detailed answers.

Tonight, on the eve of the end of the Bush administration, Israel tries to wrap up it's invasion. Jon Stewart noted the coicidental timing of the Israeli invasion to the American political calendar; with Barack Obama releiving the U.S. and the world of Bush's worst perversions of foreign policy, Israel can't be too sure of what's in store for it. In the meantime, it's the Palestinians in Gaza who are left to count the cost of war.