The killing of Shireen Abu Akleh
What they do when the world is watching.
This article is my reaction to the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh by the Israeli police, and the subsequent attack on her funeral procession, once again by Israeli forces.
Abu Aqleh was an American Palestinian journalist, and was one of the Arab world’s best known reporters. She was shot in the head on Wednesday whilst covering an Israeli Police raid. Israel has suggested that she may have been killed by Palestinians, who were also firing shots. Her colleagues and those on the scene say that the fatal shots came from Israeli forces. What Israel cannot do is blame the attacks on her funeral procession on Palestinians, as they were filmed by international news stations.
In her excellent article in the Guardian, the London born, Palestinian American writer, speaker and business consultant Arwa Madhawi, asks the following question, if the attacks on mourners at Shireen Abu Akleh’s funeral took place when the Israeli government knew the world was watching, what do you think happens to ordinary Palestinians the rest of the time?
One Israeli response has been that the funeral procession was creating a public disturbance. It doesn’t wash. Israel shoots nurses, aid workers, children, those with disabilities and reporters with impunity and without provocation. It also likes shooting pregnant women.
Israel doesn’t give a damn about human rights, or non Zionist human life, and it doesn’t give a damn about international law. It is a state founded on ethnic cleansing. The country’s own leaders have said as much, and enshrined it in their policies.
For anybody who has had their eyes open, Abu Akleh’s killing is no surprise. What is a surprise is that mainstream media in Britain has actually reported the events, and American politicians have bothered commenting on it, saying they are deeply disturbed. But lip service has been paid before. Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister from 2001 to 2006 (who was formerly being charged with crimes against humanity and genocide for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians) made it clear that Israel is unlikely to ever pay heed to anything America says. In an argument with Simon Peres, Sharon is quoted as saying “Every time we do something, you tell me Americans will do this and that. I want to tell you something very clear; don’t worry about American pressure on Israel; we, the Jewish people, control America…”
America may have spoken, but there has not been a squeak from any British politician. That is to be expected. The British Prime Minister has called Muslim women post boxes and bank robbers, and the International Development Secretary tried to send British taxpayers’ money to the IDF.
Israel has been funded, shielded and protected by Western powers since it’s inception. And Israel acts with absolute impunity. It has attacked American forces. It has bombed schools. It has blown up international news stations. It has attacked worshippers, and these attacks escalate during holy months. It has used airstrikes on hospitals.
I’ve written about Israel in the past and been told I have absolutely no room to criticise Israel, because other countries, for example, have also been racist. That’s like saying I have no room to criticise any criminal, because other people have also been criminals, therefore the latest criminals actions are all absolutely fine.
I’m disgusted by the attack on the funeral procession. I am disgusted by the establishment of illegal settlements, and by the ongoing attacks on civilians by illegal settlers, armed to the teeth by Israel. I am disgusted by the apartheid, the ethnic cleansing, and the misappropriation of land. I know I am not alone. But as Israel has shown the world once again, it is completely above the law, it does not give a damn.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article and you’re not a Medium member, you might notice you can only read 3 articles per month. If you create an account, you can read 5 articles a month without charge. But if you become a member ( only $5/month or $50/year) you can read as many articles as you want, ad-free. You can become a member here and if you use my link I retain a small portion of your fee. Thanks for your support!
Sources
https://www.btselem.org/settler_violence_updates_list
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/palestine-israel-west-bank-settlers-attack-after-shooting
