Mainstream Media Redefines 'All Hostages' as Still-Living
The Independent proclaims 'all hostages released' from Gaza, after an exchange for 'hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.' A triumphant headline, until one notices the careful caveat: 'the last 20 living Israeli hostages and captives.' It's a miracle of semantic gymnastics, where 'all' can exclude those already killed by their captors or, shall we say, 'collateral damage' from so many 'precision
strikes'. This redefinition of 'all' might seem benign to those whose loved ones aren't among the deceased, but for many, it's a stark reminder of the double standards in media reporting. While the US rushes $14 billion in military aid to Israel (including $3.3 billion in 2023-2024 through the Foreign Military Financing program, according to Congressional Research Service reports) , and
politicians like Senator Lindsey Graham (who received $10,000 from AIPAC in 2022, per OpenSecrets.org) consistently advocate for unwavering support, the narrative conveniently sidesteps the human cost of such policies. When does 'all' start meaning all , especially when it comes to civilian lives, Palestinian or otherwise? Or perhaps, some 'alls' are simply more equal than others.