I was just reading this article in the Observer this morning about the death of Tom Hurndall in Rafah (Gaza). Tom was a photographer/student who was shot in the head by the IDF as he helped children to safety. The shooting was covered up by the Occupation forces, and his parents have mounted a 3 year campaign to 'out' the truth, culminating in an inquest (in Britain) next week.
This event, and a couple of others that were similar and are mentioned in the article always evokes a feeling of ambiguity in me. It's always shocking to read about his death, and also the cover-up (although I can't say this comes as a surprise). I wonder sometimes though whether all this coverage of Hurndall and the other GB and US activists who were killed, deflects attention from the broader problem, or helps to bring it into focus?
Almost 5000 people have been killed since the start of the 2nd Intifada, with almost 4/5ths of those being Palestinians. And yet, how often do you see hand-wringing in the Guardian (which offers better coverage than most papers) over all those Palestinian deaths. Instead, 2 Brits and a yank become the focus of news stories, plays, book publications, etc, etc. In all 57 foreigners (neither Palestinian or Israeli) have been killed in that time, or 1% of all the casualties. (See B'Tselem)
On the other hand, the inquest into Hurndall's death does bring to light the systematic violence and lawlessness of the Occupation forces in the Territories, in a way that is palatable to the British public and other international communities. The tribunal also offers the possibility of international accountability and justice, which is surely an important step in really addressing the broader problem of the Israeli Occupation.
Returning to the story, my biggest sympathies lie with Hurndall's family. How terrible to not only lose a son, but to also have three years of your life taken from you as you crusade to find answers. It's ironic that coming to Palestine is often harder for those who stay at home than the people that actually come here. Tom Hurndall surely must have known what he was getting into going to Rafah. However, I wonder if he considered the impact his life and death would have had on other people besides himself? Still, without his witness where would we, or more importantly the residents of Gaza, be?
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"Almost 5000 people have been killed since the start of the 2nd Intifada, with almost 4/5ths of those being Palestinians. And yet, how often do you see hand-wringing in the Guardian (which offers better coverage than most papers) over all those Palestinian deaths. Instead, 2 Brits and a yank become the focus of news stories, plays, book publications, etc, etc. In all 57 foreigners (neither Palestinian or Israeli) have been killed in that time, or 1% of all the casualties. "
I understand the unease. But even at the different levels of scale, the personal seems to trump the numbers.
But the lack of coverage, and the numbers are staggering. I have a friend who grew up in the West Bank and now lives near me. His stories and the continuing tragedy is numbing at times, but so many of my acquaintances are ignorant of the truth.
By the by, stay safe!
W.
At some point in perhaps my favourite book on recent events in Palestine - Reporting from Ramallah (http://www.semiotexte.com/authors/hass.html) - Amira Hass says that the great difficulty when reporting from Palestine is that if you talk about the Occupation, it's too general and abstract, but when you tell stories of individual suffering, it's dismissed as a bleeding hearts story, that's an exception and not part of broader processes. Hass really hits the nail on the head here I think.
p.s. Check out the new Deleuze book at the semiotext(e) link ;)
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