West's 'useful idiots' enabling Israeli war on Gaza: The Guardian
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British political commentator and writer Mehdi Hasan condemns in an article for The Guardian the Western enabling of the Israeli war on Gaza as
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Israeli soldiers take up position as they enter the UNRWA headquarters, February 8, 2024, Gaza, occupied Palestine (AP)
Misinformation became rampant in the wake of Operation al -Aqsa Flood, which was swiftly followed by Israeli massacres in Gaza on October 7 as the Israeli government mobilized all of its capabilities with the aim of appearing as the victim of horrendous crimes that were all but true.
The Guardian, in an op-ed by British political commentator Mehdi Hassan, underlined the failure of the West to point out Israeli lies, and even enabling the Israeli occupation to carry out its campaigns of deceit in a bid to paint the Palestinian people and Resistance as savages in order to normalize the slaughter of innocent civilians.
Since October 7, the Israeli occupation government and its allies of propagandists have been hard at work spreading misinformation as Western politicians and journalists have misled the public about the reality of the issue, with claims ranging from fabricated atrocities to unfounded accusations against humanitarian UN agencies.
The West pushed lies such as forty babies being beheaded by Hamas, infants being subjected to horrific treatment, and the existence of a clandestine tunnel beneath al-Shifa hospital similar to a hideout that would be constructed by a Bond villain, and these claims are still being pushed despite them being debunked numerous times, according to Hassan.
Equally concerning are allegations of atrocities attributed to Israeli forces, which the Israeli regime fought tooth and nail to deny before they were substantiated by evidence that simply could be dismissed.
While the Resistance certainly beheaded no babies, the Israeli occupation certainly committed the flour massacre in February, as it bombed an international humanitarian convoy and used white phosphorus in its bombardment of southern Lebanon, all of which have raised serious questions about the conduct of Israeli forces.
Still, the Israeli occupation's allies were quick to dismiss these "lies", giving the benefit of the doubt to the Israeli occupation forces.
Repetitive cycle
A recurring narrative, underscored by Palestinian-American analyst Omar Baddar, reveals a repetitive pattern in the aftermath of alleged Israeli massacres that puts to question how foolish Western propagandists believe the public to be.
It all begins with an accusation being leveled against "Israel", which is followed by vehement denial. Subsequently, media coverage often portrays uncertainty, only for subsequent investigations to implicate the Israeli occupation.
The Israeli occupation then walks away scott-free as the media moves on from one tragic story to another because it is of no benefit to them for the Israeli occupation to be found committing crimes.
One particularly significant claim is that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) colluded with the Palestinian Resistance.
This accusation, which alleges the involvement of 12 UNRWA employees in the October 7th operation, has been debunked by an independent review led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna. The review affirmed UNRWA's indispensable role in providing vital humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
Contrary to Israeli claims, UNRWA has been transparent in its operations, sharing staff lists annually with the occupying regime and the United States. However, "Israel" has not raised any concerns regarding UNRWA staff since 2011, which goes on to cast doubt on the credibility of the allegations.
Countries like Canada and Sweden, as well as the European Union, have since decided to reinstate UNRWA funds. The US, however, insisted on its decision and passed a new spending bill that bans any payments to the organization until March 2025.
Defunding UNRWA 'political'
According to the agency's head, Philippe Lazzarini, the US decision stemmed from its personal "domestic policies". “The gap left behind by the US is equivalent to about $180 million when it comes to the core budget, plus an additional $200 million donor when it comes to the emergency appeal,” he told Anadolu in an interview in Geneva.
The organization has opted to encourage current donors to increase their funds and started looking for new ones, mainly in the Arab world. Countries like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Algeria, and Kuwait have been significantly contributing, with Oman and Jordan pitching in.
Spain, Belgium, Norway, and Portugal have additionally declared their intent to boost their funds.
The fallout from these allegations has been significant, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The dissemination of misinformation has not only undermined trust in Western media and the Israeli occupation but has also contributed to the suffering of innocent civilians who cannot access aid because funding to UNRWA was cut because of the Israeli lie that is still peddled to this very day, months after it was debunked.
In a statement of condemnation, Hassan concludes, "Israel has been starving the people of Gaza. Shame on the fools who have helped them justify it."
UNRWA was established in the aftermath of the 1948 Palestinian Nakba, and its continual presence underscores the persistence of the unresolved issues stemming from that struggle, as per the analysis.
The Palestinians forcibly displaced in 1948, as well as subsequent Israeli aggressions, remain refugees along with their descendants. This legal designation, upheld by UNRWA's existence and ongoing operations, implies an entitlement to a right of return under international law. This right can only be addressed through a comprehensive settlement.
"Until then, UNRWA is a reminder to Israel of its obligations as an occupying power, and to some Israelis, it is therefore an enemy to be eliminated, no matter what the cost in Palestinian lives," The Guardian's World Affairs Editor, Julian Borger previously stressed.
