Under hard questioning by CNN's Paula Zahn, the Israeli foreign ministry spokesman descended into double-talk about the use of phosporous weapons burning the flesh of Lebanese children, as shown on footage from Beirut hospitals.
The Israeli repeatedly refused to answer Zahn's clear question - does Israel use phosporous weapons? Instead he claimed that Israeli weaponry is consistent with accepted standards. As with the American use of phosporous in Falluja, the implication is that phosphorous if intended as a smoke-causing agent is legal. But the televised image of the burned baby overpowered the dissembling answers.
The Achilles Heel for the American-Israeli public relations campaign is the presence of credible Lebanese officials, journalists, doctors, and ordinary citizens of all backgrounds. The prime minister of Lebanon is relentlessly clear in calling for a cease-fire and denouncing Israel for "shredding" his country, which was seen as a peaceful oasis only two weeks ago. Similar denunciations by Lebanese of all backgrounds are a serious counter-point to Israeli claims.
Were it not for the Lebanese, there would be virtually no media coverage of dissent against this war. The oldest journalistic maxim of balanced coverage of "both sides" is suspended here in America. The peace movement has adjusted to this sorry situation by turning to the bloggers and independent media to exchange opinions and analysis. The mainstream media should be held accountable, however, for failing to apply the hard-learned lessons of Iraq to the unfolding drama in Lebanon.
For instance, not a single mainstream journalist has asked whether American officials had prior knowledge of the Israeli bombing of Lebanon. If they did, did they "green light" the invasion, promise to block cease-fire initiatives, agree to equip Israeli with new high-technology weapons, and send American troops to lead NATO peacekeepers? Did these US-Israeli contacts take place before or after the Hezbollah capture of the Israeli soldiers? Or is it credible that Israel initiated the bombing by unilateral action without seeking American input? Either scenario holds serious implications for our rights to know and take citizen action.
Many have expected a dramatic summer 2006 escalation of the Middle East conflict, with speculation centering mostly on Syria and Iran as targets. The intended result would be to rehabilitate the failed policies of the White House in Iraq. Intentional or not, the Israelis have become the vanguard of the neo-conservative agenda.
The Lebanese are doing their best as credible truth-tellers in their part of the world. What we need are a few good investigative reporters to awaken American public opinion from its propaganda bubble. You don't have to be a "conspiracy theorist" to recognize that all wars are political. #