Writing on the Huffington Post, Max Blumenthal, in a posting disingenuously titled “Neda in Palestine, Sentenced to Die Alone“, refers to the cold-blooded murder of the Iranian woman Neda Agha-Soltan by Iranian security forces:
When the mainstream American press chose to broadcast the graphic video — as moving as the footage is, it is difficult to watch — it made a commendable decision that nonetheless highlighted its hypocritical attitude towards Palestinians who resist Israeli occupation on a daily basis, and who often meet the same fate as Neda.
Every week, in the Palestinian cities of Bi’lin and Ni’ilin local residents demonstrate beside international and Israeli solidarity activists for their basic human rights. …When the demonstrators mobilize non-violently to stop the wall’s construction — to demand that the rule of law be honored — the Israeli army has responded with massive force, killing, maiming, and brutalizing them on a consistent basis.
Any comparison between the actions of Iran and Israel is not only spurious but downright despicable and seeks to reduce the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to simplistic black and white arguments. The Iranian regime has deliberately murdered and brutalized its own people, revealing its true nature. The situations in Bi’lin and Ni’ilin are quite different as described to YNet News by an IDF commander at the scene:
“Most of the activity is carried out by anarchists and Left-wing activists. The protest begins like every protest. At the start there are speeches, then the pushing begins, slowly, slowly. Left-wing activists who are the front then pass to the sides and Palestinian youths aged 16-23 go to the back and throw rocks. Left-wing activists are the one who incite the atmosphere and Palestinians are the ones who throw the rocks.”
Unfortunately, a number of Palestinians and foreign activists have been unintentionally killed or injured during confrontations with the IDF, which prioritizes using non-lethal measures such as rubber bullets and tear gas. This is in stark contrast to the deliberate shooting of Neda Agha-Soltan by an anti-democratic and extremist Iranian regime.
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“NO” IS THE REAL OBSTACLE TO PEACE
The issue of settlements is a contentious one that has dominated much media coverage of Israel in recent weeks. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Israeli settlements, the media continues to wrongly portray them as the primary obstacle to peace in the region, ignoring Palestinian responsibilities and intransigence. A new video produced by the American Jewish Committee maintains that “No” is The Real Obstacle to Middle East Peace.
Many of you have asked for sources that can adequately provide some more analysis and information beyond the headlines. Here are a few:
