Propaganda Peddlers for Apartheid Israel

By David Starr

 

Hardline supporters of Israel, and thus, support for Israeli apartheid, have had a lot to say about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They have resorted to fear and hysteria in their attempts at “justifying” what they believe is a “righteous cause.” 

 

But with the obvious being evident in Israel’s attempted genocide, ethnic cleansing and war crimes, the hardline supporters fervently ignore these violations of international law, and continue to back, whether they know it or not, the carrying out of these violations by a fascist Israeli government, and its supporters.

 

Examples of this denial from the hardliners has been so contrary to the continuing reality of what Palestinians are going through. 

 

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio is a major example of warmongering and imperialism. He said that the sanctions that were put on violent Israeli settlers by the Biden regime are to be lifted, something the Trump regime may do. Quoting from the Times of Israel, Rubio said that “he intended to be ‘very forceful’ in making sure that Hamas supporters in the US are deported.” 

 

The pro-Palestinian supporters focused on stopping Israel’s mass murder, not being strong supporters of Hamas. But the hardliners have used Hamas as an excuse to justify Israel’s ongoing military campaign. The word “Hamas” has been turned into a buzzword by Israel’s followers, blaming the whole mess on one side, and absurdly so. 

 

Another buzzword has been “anti-Semitism.” Even the slightest criticism of Israel has been taboo, and anyone who does criticize it is labeled with those buzzwords.

 

Rubio continued, saying, “If you apply for a visa to come into the United States and in the process of being looked at, it comes to light you’re a supporter of Hamas, we wouldn’t let you in. If you could not come in because you’re a supporter of Hamas, you should not be able to stay.” 

 

The problem with that is the Trump regime could throw a wide net on Palestinian supporters, where many would be branded a “Hamas supporter” or an “anti-Semite” just because they exercise their right to protest.

 

Rubio had some things to say about the International Criminal Court (ICC). And his comments were delusional:

 

“I think the ICC, if they don’t drop [the case that’s been implemented], will find its credibility globally badly damaged and I think the United States should be very concerned, because I believe this is a test run for applying it American service members and American leaders in the future.”

 

Rubio’s saying that the ICC will lose its credibility “badly” if it doesn’t stop pursuing Israeli and U.S. criminals and bring them to justice is the opposite of what’s really going on worldwide. Israel has lost its credibility badly with its war crimes. His concern for “American service members and American leaders” spells out his disgusting outlook on what they have done. And perhaps Rubio knows they are guilty, but callously ignores that.

 

Another source taking a flight from reality is Foreign Policy, with its accusations that Hamas has conducted “willful indiscriminate killing of civilians; serial sexual violence; the taking of hostages” and is a terrorist organization. On the other hand, it soft-peddles its tone regarding Netanyahu, not using the same condemnation, although Netanyahu is obviously guilty of his own terrorism, given what Israel has done in Gaza.

 

The Foreign Policy report details the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas mentioning the challenge in getting both sides to conclude the agreement. But if the agreement were to collapse, Hamas will still remain a potent force against the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) with new recruits joining. Those recruits no doubt lost family members because of Israel’s actions, and thus are seriously pissed off.

 

Besides Rubio being an ultranationalist (putting it politely), Lindsey Graham, another U.S. senator, is even more belligerent. Graham suggested dropping bombs on Gaza, comparing that with U.S. forces dropping atomic bombs on Japan, although it wasn’t necessary since Japan was on the verge of surrendering. Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press, Graham callously urged Israel to “do whatever you have to.” Graham is apparently not only an ultranationalist, but also a sadist.

 

Absurdly, Graham suggested to, “Give Israel the bombs they need to end the war they can’t afford to lose and work with them to minimize casualties.” That has been what was  going for over a year now in Gaza. Israel already has gotten more than enough bombs from the U.S., specifically Biden, and has made a mockery of avoiding civilian casualties.

 

Another hardline ultranationalist (perhaps the word “fascist” should be used from now on) is Sean Hannity, of Fox “news” fame. Hannity had a guest on who was Palestinian-American named Yousef Munayyer, who is the executive director of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. 

 

Hannity pressured Munayyer to answer a yes or no question, quoted by Politico: “Is Hamas a terrorist organization?” Munayyer tried to answer but Hannity, sounding like an interrogator, kept asking aggressively. 

 

“Do I get to actually speak now? Munayyer replied. But Hannity still was in a fascist frenzy, asking again. “You have to answer the question, it’s a simple yes or no question.” Munayyer replied, “Sir, you have invited me on here as a guest.” Again, Hannity continued to be in a frenzy, blurting, “I’m asking a question. Is Hamas, whose charter calls for the destruction of Israel, is that a terrorist organization?!”

 

Munayyer said, “Thank you for your question, now I will provide an answer.” Hannity was still in a frenzy, yelling out the question, but Munayyer responded, saying that he was trying to explain the dire conditions of Palestinians. 

 

Hannity continued, “Is Hamas a terrorist organization? What part of this can’t you get through your thick head.!?” Real professional, like an inquisitor. Munayyer could have said that if he had to say it is, then he also must say that Israel is a terrorist entity.

 

Hannity shut him down and told him to leave.

 

Another source sounding really establishment is Honest Reporting, but it contradicts its name as the following shows:

 

In a report, the title was openly biased. “Hamas Staged a Sickening Hostage Parade–and the Media Played along.” It’s hard to see what is assumed to be a right-wing publication being actually objective. 

 

The report noted that the freed hostages, all women, apparently in the Israeli military, “had military -style unforms forced upon them.” The women held up framed certificates, of which Honest Reporting claimed, “they were compelled to hold [them] aloft like unwilling contest winners.” 

 

So, the report claimed that the celebration which occurred after freeing the women, was like a “grotesque theater performance,” which Hamas carefully crafted. 

 

The report claimed that the women “were the reluctant stars of this PR charade.” It goes on, claiming that Hamas dressed them in military uniforms, and instead were “abducted from their beds and paraded through Gaza’s streets in blooded pajamas and underwear.” The report was a hit piece, probably by an entity that is a hardline supporter of Israel, despite its war crimes. (But that’s not to say that Hamas is totally innocent.)

 

An ”enlightening” interview was presented on Fox “news,” with Cal Thomas spurting out the same worn-out propaganda so fervently used by hardline supporters. This, unfortunately, is par for the course.

 

The right has made so many accusations about the Israel-Palestine conflict which border on  the incredible and with a sign of racist stereotypes. Its propaganda betrays its “righteous cause.”