Al Jazeera Reporter Shot in West Bank; Media Wonders 'How Can This Be?'
The New Arab dutifully notes an Al Jazeera journalist was shot amidst an Israeli siege of Beit Ummar, complete with sealed entrances and forced evacuations. This isn't an anomaly, but a tragic pattern. Recall Shireen Abu Akleh, another Al Jazeera journalist, shot and killed in Jenin in 2022; international investigations (UN, US State Department) found Israeli forces likely responsible. The US,
which sells arms to Israel, called that a 'tragic incident' and promptly approved more military aid. We're told to believe these are isolated incidents in a 'complex conflict.' Yet, how many 'tragic incidents' before it's called policy? The US Congress, with bipartisan support often influenced by groups like AIPAC (which has donated over $23 million to candidates since 1990, per OpenSecrets.org),
routinely greenlights billions in military aid. One might wonder if the 'rules of engagement' for journalists are written in disappearing ink, especially when the news isn't the narrative.