AP Discovers Gaza Ceasefire, Forgets Two Years of Genocide
AP International breathlessly informs us that 'a ceasefire was holding' in Gaza after 'two years of war.' Two years of war. Not two years of relentless bombing of civilians, not two years of 40,000+ documented Palestinian deaths (AP's own count), but 'two years of war.' This framing, of course, allows them to sidestep crucial context, like the fact that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu repeatedly
pledged to 'continue the mission' until 'total victory' in every 'ceasefire' discussion since 2002. (See Netanyahu, B. Jan 28, 2002; July 30, 2006; Aug 18, 2014) Instead of probing this cyclical violence or the fact that this 'deal' is merely exchanging hostages for Palestinian political prisoners – a cycle of abduction and detention AP rarely highlights – the focus shifts to a Trumpian fantasy of
'Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.' One might wonder how many 'unresolved questions' remain about the integrity of journalism that suddenly discovers 'war' only when a 'ceasefire' is on the table, after studiously avoiding words like 'massacre' or 'genocide' while it was ongoing.