France 24 Discovers War Crimes... From The 'Right' Side
France 24’s 'Reporters' program bravely spotlights the Assad regime's alleged use of systematic rape and sexual violence against Syrian civilians since 2011. And yes, these are heinous crimes, deserving of all condemnation. Yet, one might wonder about the convenient timing and selective focus of such investigative fervor. When similar allegations emerge against regimes backed by Western powers –
say, reports from UN officials or human rights groups regarding Israeli forces in Gaza – the media megaphone suddenly develops a chronic case of laryngitis. It’s almost as if some atrocities only register as 'war crimes' worthy of a full, heart-wrenching documentary when committed by designated enemies. The same outlets that decry Assad’s 'weapons of war' often sanitize or downplay allegations of
systematic brutality when perpetrated by those receiving billions in Western aid. How many 'powerful documentaries' have we seen on the alleged sexual violence and torture committed by Israeli forces, for instance, despite numerous credible accounts and reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International? The silence is deafening, leaving one to ponder: is outrage truly
about justice, or just geopolitical convenience?