The Greens oppose the CPRS not because it is too weak, but because it will point Australia in the wrong direction with little prospect of turning it around in the timeframe within which emissions must peak, says Senator Christine Milne.
The Aussies spinning the Gaza conflict
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Three young Australians go to the Middle East and become spokespeople for an organization that has killed over 800 people, including numerous innocent men, women and children in the space of a few short weeks. And they are defenders of an organisation that is using dangerous tools of chemical warfare, and which is, prima facie committing war crimes by targeting schools and other infrastructure where the UN flag is flying, and where civilians are sheltering from the constant violence. I speak of course of Mark Regev from Melbourne who is spokesman to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Benjamin Rutland from Sydney who is, along with fellow Sydney sider, Guy Spigelman, a spokesman for the Israeli Defence Force. All three have been prominent in denying that Israel has acted in violation of human rights standards and international law as it continues its pounding of the world’s largest refugee camp — the Gaza Strip. All three are strident and unapologetic in their defence of Israel’s conduct. They are articulate and their English is word perfect — they are part of the well oiled Israeli propaganda machine that relentlessly spins its way through every difficult situation, such as the targeting of a school flying a UN flag last week. If these Australians were members of, or spokespeople for say Hamas, or the Iran or Syria, the media in this country would have a field day in running front page headlines like ‘Aussie terror fighters.’ The Rudd government would be contemplating whether or not they should be charged with criminal offences. They would be castigated by politicians for supporting an organization or cause that causes so much bloodshed and suffering. Australians who are propagandists for Israel in relation to its conduct in the Gaza Strip should be subjected to the same scrutiny and if appropriate, criticism by the Australian media as any Australian citizen who actively backs any illegitimate cause pursued by an organization or country in the world. So how did Regev, Rutland and Spigelman become such prominent members of the well oiled Israeli propaganda machine? They are not simply hired guns doing a job, but committed members of the cause of Israel: Regev, born in 1960 and the son of Holocaust survivors, was educated at Melbourne University and was active in Jewish student affairs there as a member of an idealist, socialist Zionist movement. He has impressive American academic credentials and emigrated to Israel in 1991. He was born Mark Freiberg, but changed his name to that of his adoptive Kibbutz parents because he was troubled by having a German surname. Regev is a seasoned PR flack — he was the spokesman for the Israeli embassy in Washington for a number of years. Spigelman and Rutland are an interesting pair. Not only are they Israeli Defence Force spokesmen but both are heavily involved in Israeli politics. Spigelman, who has lived in Israel since 1994, ran for the Israeli Labour Party in the 2006 general election and Rutland helped to run his campaign. In short, Regev, Rutland and Spigelman are not your average flacks or talking heads. They are true believers in the Israeli cause in the same way that their opponents in Hamas or in the Palestinian camp are fervent in their support. It’s just that the former trio do not attract the same headlines from the Australian media. |
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22 Comments
A timely article.
It’s not so much that the trio is particularly polished or adroit, but rather that they’re rarely if ever confronted by a determined, probing media (In the same way that some politicians don’t so much win power..Victoria a great example…through their own efforts but rather through the stupidity of their opponents…such as exampled by Kennett and Bracks).
Regev’s performance on the ABC’s 7.30 report earlier this week was a case in point….not once, not twice, not three times but at least four time Regev had Hezbollah fighting in Gaza,,,stumbling over
himself in each instance.
But, crushingly slow though it may be, truth does out.
The UN’s Human Rights Council DID adopt a motion denouncing Israel’s “grave” human rights breaches in Gaza; the International Red Cross…usually very diplomatic….has openly expressed its outrage, pointing the the killing of medics, the shelling of medical facilities and the destruction of ambulances; and today The Lancet went into print denouncing Israel’s ‘atrocities’ in Gaza. Clearly, Israel has been assisted in its war on Gaza by outgoing President Bush’s decision to provide it with a 3 week long open cheque to do whatever it wanted in the final days of his administration.
Pity the UN Secretary General escaped criticism for going along with US and Israel by refusing to talk with or meet Hamas reps. Israel adores recognition.
The denunciations of Israel I have referred to should help clear the path for incoming President Obama to return the US’s Mid East policy making from Tel Aviv to Washington.
A thought Greg, I read and admired your earlier article on war crimes. It would be great if the Canberra Times could throw open its pages to such a debate…on how Israel might fare were it to be taken before the International Criminal Court (regardless of a US veto in the real world) to face such charges.
It could even lead to a hyperthetical on the 7.30 Report…if only it had the energy!!
Randy, Cal, Eric, Ben, Gary, jenny, brenny…
Surely you forgot to read the first paragraph. For humanities sake, you did didn’t you.
These three Australians are spokespeople for a country that has KILLED THOUSANDS of people in the past few years. Mostly Civilian, mostly women and children under 16.
They are spokespeople for a country which has just been accused of GENOCIDE by the UNITED NATIONS.
Spot on Greg. If they had been Hamas or another “targeted” organisation, it would be known across Australia…maybe today/tonite or curent affair etc chasing up their families and asking “politely” why their sons support and are spokesmen for such causes. Hypocritical media who are controlled just like the US press.
As for the clarion brigade, some quick facts. Hamas is the elected govt of the Palestinian people. Because the Israel/ US militarily backed Fatah ,even with the “friendly” militant Dahlan ,got their butt kicked does not allow the Israeli govt to impose the inhuman conditions of the blockade. As far as the West Bank is concerned, the illegal settlements continue under the “compliant” US/Israel backed Fatah. Thats why the Palestinians voted, under free and fair elections, Hamas. The true “nationalist Palestinians” in the west bank are under the Fatah thumb. Egypt , as anyone who knows history, is controlled by the US and some of the large protests against this murderous campaign have ocurred there, but were repressed by the military. As far as Hamas being a “terrorist” organisation, what do you expect from the US and its allies??. US foreign policy is written in Tel aviv. Its the Fatah arms caches that Hamas is using in its defence….the very same weapons the US gave Fatah to crush Hamas.
What certain people want is a quiet complicit Palestinian population who will do what their masters, Israel, require. But unfortunately the Palestininas dont understand this and they want EQUAL RIGHTS AND THEIR LAND BACK….and for those who claim they want a 2 state solution….how can the people have that when the IDF control their borders, air and sea space.
Sum it up…..BLOODY DISTGUSTING.
This is truly poisonous nonsense.
Hamas are listed as a terrorist organisation by the EU, the US, and Australia. Their charter is self evidently radical Islamist, not Palestinian Nationalist. If there were a 2 state solution to the conflict - which i fervently hope for - they would reject it. Their stated objective is not to secure a Palestinian state, but to destroy Israel and the secular governments of the nearby Arab states. This is the core of its ideology and practice, not some propaganda point.
It is an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood - which is banned in Egypt. Which is why Egypt does not want them to handle the border with their country, and why Egypt also maintained a blockade against Gaza.
They will continue to bring misery to the Palestinians and oppress them with their medieval notions.
The current conflict is an appalling tragedy, brought about by Hamas adventurism.
A solution will be found between Israelis and genuine Palestinian nationalists sitting down and working out a two state solution with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. The day it will happen is drawing closer. With a solid push from Obama, it can happen. The contrast between the situation in the West Bank and that in Gaza could not be clearer. Israel knows it has to do a deal, and will be willing to make great compromises for it to happen. They do not have a choice, and know it. But the deal cannot, and will not, be made with Hamas.
All of the Australian citizens now living in Israel that you refer to support a two state solution and desire a peaceful resolution of the conflict. No Hamas spokesperson can fit this description. They are on their way out, the only way it could happen.
And yet,and yet,
We couldn’t help but notice in the very easy &.30 Report interview given Regev,the fact that this practised spinner repeatedly confused Hezbollah with Hamas,and escaped comment by the interviewer.
I can only assume the ABC is right up to date in 2009 mode Political Correctness.
Now, I am no supporter nor any kind of apologist for Hamas,Zionism,Creationism,Tamil Tigers, American Exceptionalism, but I can and do recognise the analogy of shooting fish in a barrel when it is presented to me.
er,something to ponder? Will the US recession affect the billions of $$$ aid reportedly given annually to *sr**l to help it keep the Palestinians in place?
Little JimmyKoward: you’re a prime example of why the Israeil terrorists HAVE COMPREHENSIVELY LOST THE BATTLE FOR THE HEARTS &MINDS OF PEOPLE OF CONSCIENCE IN OZ & GLOBALLY.
A COMBINATION OF NO CASE TO MAKE, WITH NO BRAINS TO USE…FRIGGING DIMWIT
YOU’RE A SUPPORTER OF A TERRORIST ORGANISATION: IE THE ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCES.
90% of AUSTRALIA AGREES WITH ME…..
ENJOY YOUR SHABBAT IN YOUR COMFY DOVER HEIGHTS KENNELL….
Have you noticed the organised rush of indignation by Randy et al…what a bunch of schmutters……just more organised, pernicious pap from the Australian Zionist bigots lobby……barrackers for the murderers of innocent civilians……..
ISRAEL does not want, and has never wanted peace…it has systemically set out to destroy Palestinian society over time…….well it won’t……..it’s 41 years since the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands…and Israel is in complete disarray politically & socially & has joined the likes of Zimbabwe as an international pariah State.
Israel will NEVER be allowed to forget this latest outrage against our Palestinian brothers & sisters.
BOYCOTT any product which has the Israeli manufactured prefix 729 at the start of its bar code…and tell the seller why in no uncertain terms.
C’mon Hilary……start talking to Iran…….
A reply to Jenny re civilians being used as human shields in Gaza.
That’s what the Israeli propaganda merchants would have you and I believe, Jenny. There is a simple answer, let the foreign media in to see for itself. But Israel refuses….flouting the ruling of its own Supreme Court in that regard. It’s just so terrified of the truth being revealed as it is, atrocity by atrocity…day by day.
If the Israelis want an end to home made rocket attacks and suicide bombers..the answer is again so simple. Let the US…which happily supplies F16 strike bombers…missiles….phosphoros bombs, missiles and combat choppers to the bloodsthirsty Israelis simply do the same for the Palestinians. Or do you have a problem with that? Why is all Israeli thinking so lop-sided?
Essentially, the Israelis like to do their killing from planes or ships so that they can get safely home to tea..and so they don’t have to face actual combat.It’s the definition of a coward. It’s been a blitzkrieg…something the Israelis copied…embraced…from the Nazis.
“In short, Regev, Rutland and Spigelman are not your average flacks or talking heads. They are true believers in the Israeli cause in the same way that their opponents in Hamas or in the Palestinian camp are fervent in their support. It’s just that the former trio do not attract the same headlines from the Australian media.”
What a silly thing to say Greg. Apparently there are two types of media spokepeople: “average flacks” and “true believers” - and only you can spot the difference. Perhaps the difference is that one represents a government and the other a terrorist organisation? Perhaps the Taliban “flack” in Gitmo isn’t a true believer after all, maybe he’s a just a PR garduate from UTS?
I’m sorry if you can’t tell the difference between a government spokesperson (even if you don’t like the government) and those of a terrorist organisation.
Yea, Hillary, start talking, ‘cause Obama sure isnt! What, by the way will you talk about ? Iran says Israel should be annihilated. Is there a plan B ?
LittleJimmyKoward:
Whatever my ‘look’ may or may not be, it certainly finishes well ahead of the dimwitted, Zionist bigot ‘look’ you consistently display on Crikey.
In effect, your displays only highlight the legitimacy of HAMAS’ position. So in effect, you’re a HAMAS supporter.
Of course you’re going to be the last to appreciate this outcome, a fact that I know will not surprise the vast majority of Crikey regulars in the least.
Keep up the good work dimwit….
You’re onto something here on the legal exposure. Just as with rendition there is likely to be real legal exposure for accessories to crimes, including cover up of war crimes.
Rutland in particular stated in The Oz article last week that he ‘was sure the IDF was “a moral organisation”’. But such a bald statement needs to be unpacked. An IDF that shoots at ambulances? Kills aid truck drivers? UN schools? Rutland doesn’t “know”.
Fact 1: Haaretz reports 30% of Israeli society support Yigal Amir and want him pardoned for shooting PM Rabin famous for seeking a land for peace deal with the Palestinians. Fact 2: Israel has compulsory national service. Fact 3: The military are generally more right wing than the general population. Fact 4: Amir recently admitted in the US press he shot Rabin following the influential advice of Sharon, an IDF hero, criticising Rabin’s peace plan. Fact 5: A large fraction of Israeli supporters for criminal assassination of a PM - and by extrapolation killing of any one posing a serious problem for the ‘settler movement’ (problem people like the UN, Gazan civillians by simply existing on ‘Greater Israel’) - are serving in Gaza right now. With their trigger on the finger. Conclusion: Only a fool or a liar thinks some in the IDF would not act out Amir’s murderous prejudice in Gaza too.
70% of decent Israelis and diaspora Friends of Israel are charged with being in denial of seriously compromised IDF - with large minority of sympathisers for criminal killers like Yigal Amir. Including evidence of censorship by the IDF itself suggesting a guilty mind. As lawyers are taught at a certain point a reasonable man knows they are an accessory to alleged war crimes by failing to report a crime: Shooting of ambulance drivers, bombing of UN schools, killing aid truck drivers, directing refugees to a house then bombing it. It’s all an accident or unintentional. But only if Yigal Amir didn’t exist.
This is not the rational commentary I expect from crikey.
Is the common thread of their being Australian relevant to producing this sub standard journalism? I wont add to the debate further than to say what other country tries as hard to avoid civilian casualties even when their enemy uses civilians as human shields?
Greg - you’re an idiot. I can’t believe you’re allowed to be published.
You make out that Israel is a terrorist organisation with sophisticated propoganda. Far from it, more a country with hostile neighbours with every right to defend itself.
I just wonder what you would be calling for should Australia come under prolonged attack from a terrorist group within a nearby neighbour - ie Indonesia. I think you’d be writing and demanding that the Australian govt send in the army to counter and neutralise this aggression.
Now now! …. Kevboy…… your shouting again. It’s not polite.
That dark foaming lickspittle when given free rein is really not a good look.
It is a kind of interesting interpretation of international laws and obligations. A selective measuring tape?
There was a big outcry about the Tibet, Georgia, Srebrenica, well, the Sudan….
Human Rights violations is what it is: Humana Rights Violations.
I personally do support Israeli Human Rights groups reporting on every day basis on human rights abuses in Gaza. What is Israel afraid of ? Let the people see by themselves what is really going on.
Afterall, Israel was very strong in demanding UN inspectors everywhere else.
As for the human shields? Another children- overboard -syndrome?
re: eric
Nelson Mandela was a terrorist until last year. He was on a terrorist list of the USA and the UK when he received a Nobel Prize for Peace.
Menahem Begin (born Mieczyslaw Biegun) a former president of Israel, was also a Nobel Prize for Peace recipient although he was also on a terrorist list of the USA and UK..
KLA (Kosovo Liberation Army ) is still on the terrorist list of many countries. I can’t wait till they get canonised by the West.
If this pattern repeats… perhaps Hamas one day…
Greg, I have to wonder if you have any historical understanding of the Middle East. Just what, do you think, has occurred to create “committed members of the cause of Israel”? Go and do your research; come back when you’ve got an education.
“If these Australians were members of, or spokespeople for say Hamas, or the Iran or Syria, the media in this country would have a field day in running front page headlines like ‘Aussie terror fighters.’ ” says Greg Barns breathlessly as if this is surprisingly significant.
It is not.
Hamas is described as a terrorist organization by Canada, the European Union, Israel, Japan and the United States and is banned in Jordan. Australia and the United Kingdom list only the military wing of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, as a terrorist organization. The United States and the European Union have both implemented restrictive measures against Hamas on an international level.
I doubt Israel would spokespeople akin to the Hamas spokesman acting on her behalf:
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=zzKWQd7Qh_g&e
Brian Haill: you’re right about killing from helicopter gunships & F16 jets…the Israelis are just like the NAZIS…..bigoted cowards…….and they’ll end up like the NAZIS…routed…..
Also, Brenny & co…what is this?….an ex Moriah College convention…give us break you bigoted
mummy’s boys & girls…. did that dill at AIJAC put you up to this?
John James: showing your absolute lack of any context or knowledge on this issue, Obama HAS said he’ll deal with Iran…….you stupid man….
Finally, thanx to Brian Haill for showing up these wind-up Aussie Zionist bigots….
err, this story was in last weekend’s “Australian’ Greg…and your point is? Some well-spoken Australians support israel? How do they differ from you writing for the other side (albiet you are an apologist for Hamas). Many native-speaking Israeli and Arabs have accents that are not pleasing to English speaker’s ears..why shouldn’t they use outsiders to press their cause. Get off Israel’s back!
Great piece Greg…….tell it like it is….
I stopped reading your article half way through, the gratuitousness and bias became tiring.