Israel

An American and Jewish protester were both injured when they were shot by Israeli troops while protesting at the infamous separation fence.



Within one day of the incident, newspapers, TV and politicians are all abuzz about this.



While I am happy for the media attention at last, I am also horrified at the blatant racism which has been made so visible here: each day, Palestinians undergo similar or worse treatments and the press or politicians do not blink an eye. Even when American peace activist Rachel Corrie was flattened by a bulldozer when she was protesting the demolition of Palestinian homes, it created a mere blip on the media radar. In fact, shooting at (and killing) peace activists seems a national sport, whether they be American or British.



However, when an Israeli soldier takes aim and fires at another Israeli (even though it seems he did not know his victim was his countryman) all hell breaks loose.



I am pleased this security fence and associated land grab is finally receiving serious media attention but the way it does sort of leaves a bad taste in my mouth.



From the article:

Hours after the incident, the army set up an investigative committee. The army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Moshe Yaalon, took the rare step of visiting the injured Israeli, Gil Naamati, in the hospital Saturday. Yaalon called the shooting serious and pledged to investigate thoroughly.



By Sunday, the airwaves were clogged with Cabinet ministers, army officials and peace activists fervently arguing over the incident.



"An order to fire on people that do not fire on you is a completely illegal order," said Ami Ayalon, a former head of Israel's Shin Bet security service.



I wish this reaction been seen even once where innocent Palestinians were made to suffer through the actions of Israeli troops, be it at targeted assassinations, roadblocks, protests or just everyday life: somebody simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time...