Lebanese media is stating that last night was the most violent night since Israel’s attacks on Lebanon in the past two weeks. Israel is using a massive amount of bunker buster bombs- more per day than what was used in the entirety of the invasion of Iraq in ‘03. They are targeting bomb shelters where civilians are hiding, schools, medical workers, refugee camps, orphanages… the road leading to the only airport in the country was also bombed yesterday, including the roads on both sides of the border between Lebanon and Syria that people have been using to flee for safety.
The headlines have been atrocious over the past year, and they’re only getting worse. Every single one of these publications and journalists is complicit. Every day we have to live with the fact the our government in the US is not only ok with this happening to our people, but proudly paying for it. All the while the media gleefully plays its role as a genocidal mouthpiece for the imperial core and its colonization and ethnic cleansing, and works overtime to manufacture consent and justification while demonizing Arabs.
Yesterday, Palestinian journalist Hassan Hamad received threatening messages and calls on WhatsApp from an Israeli officer. He was being ordered to stop filming in Gaza and “spreading lies.” Hassan Hamad continued reporting despite the threats, and was later assassinated by the occupation forces. Where is the outrage or coverage of this?
Also yesterday, American journalist Samuel Mena Jr was hospitalized after attempting to self immolate in protest of the media in the wests complicity. “We spread the misinformation,” he repeatedly shouted, as his arm was ablaze.
Part of his statement:
"A 139 square mile strip of people has been leveled, and yet, children still rise from the ashes of a home they once knew, and vow to get vengeance against their loved ones murderers, and WE THE AMERICAN JOURNALISTS CALL IT A WAR AGAINST HAMAS.
How many Palestinians were killed that I allowed to be branded as Hamas? How many men, women, and children were struck with a missile cosigned by the American media?
Cosigned by "Samuel Mena Jr?" I joined this industry to serve the people of the state of Arizona that I call home. And now, l understand the reality that is maintaining face for the American Empire.
How much more of our history have I swept under the rug because I was told it was in the past? For how much of my life, was I groomed to aid in facilitating settler colonialism?
… To the 10 thousand children in Gaza that have lost a limb in this conflict, I give my left arm to you. I pray my voice was able to raise up yours, and that your smiles never disappear."
Samuel's full account:
https://web.archive.org/web/20241006005817/https://samuelmena.weebly.com/palestine#expand
