Washington Post: “Bee Stings on the Israeli Bear’s Behind”

Let’s be clear: Palestinian rockets from Gaza are intended to kill and have the ability to kill.

Writing primarily on how and why the Washington Post decided to include a photograph of a grieving Palestinian father holding a dead baby on its front page, ombudsman Patrick Pexton includes the following:

I think we can all agree that the Gaza rocket fire is reprehensible and is aimed at terrorizing Israeli civilians. It’s disruptive and traumatic. But let’s be clear: The overwhelming majority of rockets fired from Gaza are like bee stings on the Israeli bear’s behind.

These rockets are unguided and erratic, and they carry very small explosive payloads; they generally fall in open areas, causing little damage and fewer injuries.

Pexton just doesn’t get it. Considering that he appears to be concerned with loss of human life, why then does Pexton downplay the intended effect of Palestinian rockets almost the point of ridicule? After all, were it not for the extensive defensive measures Israel has taken to defend its population, there would be a far greater number of dead Israelis.

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Image: CC BY-SA HonestReporting.com, flickr/vfsdigitaldesign.