Western state media in disinformation drive to justify Gaza genocide

One thing is very clear, a war of narratives has emerged from Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza strip, unbelievably attempting to justify the killing of over 3,000 Palestinians — a third of which are children — wounding over 12,000, and displacing over a million. [1]

Contents

How is it acceptable to back the blocking of bare necessities?Collective punishment is a war crime!One of the most repeated lies: “Hamas beheaded babies”European Commission President’s selective outrage British government scrambling to silence pro-Palestine dialogue Does the world still view Mandela as a terrorist?Action points

False propaganda and lies are being continuously spread by Western media, and parroted by politicians to dehumanise the Palestinian population and legitimise the genocide occurring in Gaza.

How is it acceptable to back the blocking of bare necessities?

On 9 and 12 October respectively, the Israeli Energy and Defence Ministers authorised the cutting off of water, fuel, and electricity, leaving 2.3 million Palestinians under a total blockade from the rest of the world and without basic food and healthcare facilities. [2]

Israel has also threatened to bomb any aid coming into Gaza, all while it amasses troops on the border, awaiting a ground incursion. [3]

Moreover, since 7 October, Israeli forces have dropped over 6,000 bombs and callously used white phosphorus in Gaza, which is one of the most densely populated regions in the world and frequently described as an “open-air prison”. Under international humanitarian law, parties within a conflict must take all precautions to avoid civilian injury, yet the IDF have repeatedly targeted sanctuaries of safety like hospitals, schools, and even churches. [4] [5]

Collective punishment is a war crime!

These acts all constitute war crimes, yet Western world leaders and state-aligned journalists continue to be a mouthpiece for the Israeli apartheid regime and settler colonial occupation which has been deemed illegal by multiple human rights bodies.

For this reason, Palestinians have the absolute right to resist occupation, which is enshrined in international law, yet the victims of occupation are blamed and collectively punished, and the perpetrator is encouraged and enabled to act with impunity. [6]

World leaders such as US President Joe Biden have spread propaganda and lies regarding Israeli casualties, such as the killing of babies, to which he had to humiliatingly backtrack due to there being no evidence or confirmed sources of this actually happening.

It is such propaganda that fuels hatred in the US against Muslims and Islam, leading to barbaric crimes such as the murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian boy in Illinois who was stabbed 26 times until death. [7]

One of the most repeated lies: “Hamas beheaded babies”

Western media and journalists who continue to ignore Israeli attacks in Gaza and amplify their aggression are complicit in enabling the genocide of Palestinians, and should be prosecuted under international law. This digital warfare tactic is often a precursor to full-blown massacres of communities, we saw similar propaganda campaigns before the US-led Iraq War and invasion in Libya.

So far, none of the lies being spewed out by the media and amongst Western politicians has been corroborated. In fact, the allegations have been denied by Israel themselves. The Israeli army told Anadolu Agency that there is no information confirming that “Hamas beheaded babies”. Over 1,000 Palestinian children have been confirmed dead but this does not seem to make mainstream media headlines. [8]

Other vile accusations of murder, rape, or mutilations have also not been observed by the relevant UN body or any other human rights organisation in the region. [9]

European Commission President’s selective outrage

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been sharply criticised for her double standards in regards to Israel and Russia.

She condemned Russia for its actions in Ukraine by stating,

“Targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure with a clear aim to cut off men, women, children, of water, electricity, and heating, with the winter coming — these are acts of pure terror. And we have to call it as such.” [10]

And yet, Israel acts with impunity and support for doing the same to Palestinians in Gaza.

Russia’s attacks against civilian infrastructure, especially electricity, are war crimes.

Cutting off men, women, children of water, electricity and heating with winter coming – these are acts of pure terror.

And we have to call it as such. https://t.co/3WY743k1iH
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) October 19, 2022

British government scrambling to silence pro-Palestine dialogue

This type of warfare has resulted in the systematic attempt by the British government to suppress any dialogue around the suffering and basic humanity of Palestinians.

Britain’s Home Secretary Suella Braverman continues to threaten to criminalise a mere waving of the Palestinian flag, and is demonstrating one-sided condolences to Israel.

Before yesterday (when it became convenient for the British Prime Minister to do so) the leadership of this country — who are meant to safeguard and serve the nation — had not expressed a single concern about British Muslims, nor was the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza mourned.

Rather, we heard harmful Islamophobic tropes and narratives that try to equate advocating for human rights with “Islamism” or anti-Semitism.

Does the world still view Mandela as a terrorist?

Throughout Western and Western-aligned countries and their media infrastructures, the extreme double standards being shown and clear support of human rights violations only strengthens the Palestinian cause.

The cause is supported by millions of Muslims and non-Muslims around the world. And so, in our hundreds and thousands and millions, we must not stop advocating for the end of oppression, occupation, and the sovereignty of Palestine.

Remember, once upon a time, Nelson Mandela was regarded as a terrorist for resisting apartheid South Africa before being rightly declared an international hero.

Justice always wins in the end, so stay on the right side of history! More importantly, be witnesses of justice in front of Allah on the Day of Judgment, when we are asked what we did to aid our brothers and sisters.

Action points

Here is what you can do to support the cause!

Counter the propaganda and false narratives which delegitimise Palestinians' right to resist yet encourage Israeli war crimes.
Turn up to rallies and demonstrations to support Palestine’s right to resist the occupation.
Support initiatives on the ground — donate to Gaza now.