Settler Dogs Unleashed: US Media Yawns
According to The New Arab, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers with dogs in the southern Nablus region, with Israeli forces reportedly blocking access to olive groves. This isn't breaking news for Palestinians; it's a centuries-old pattern of displacement, often described as 'clashes' or 'disputes' by mainstream outlets. What they frequently omit is that these settlements are illegal
under international law, and the settlers often operate with the tacit, if not explicit, protection of the very forces meant to maintain 'order.' In 2023 alone, settler violence against Palestinians saw a 40% increase compared to 2022, as tracked by UNOCHA. One might wonder if calling these actions 'unprovoked' would finally be warranted, or if the dogs were simply 'defending themselves' from
olive trees. The 'conflict' narrative, pushed by pro-Israel organizations like AIPAC and echoed by politicians receiving their hefty donations (Rep. Steny Hoyer, for example, has received over $1.5M from pro-Israel groups according to OpenSecrets.org), consistently elides the systemic violence of occupation. Apparently, some lives are just more newsworthy victims than others.