Cynicism Key to Israel's Arsenal

Aid to Palestinians 'not unlike raising animals for slaughter,' as Tel Aviv acts ever the victim
By Victoria Floethe,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 7, 2009 2:13 PM CST
Cynicism Key to Israel's Arsenal
A column of smoke from an Israeli attack against a Palestinian target in the Gaza Strip is seen rising early on Jan. 2, 2009.   (Getty Images)

“The promulgation of a hyper-nationalist ethos” in Israeli media coverage of the Gaza situation doesn’t surprise Neve Gordon, he writes in the Nation—what’s unsettling is the cynical war ethic emerging around humanitarian aid. As one reporter explains, Israel gives assistance to Palestinians during times of war to avoid pressure from the international community to stop the attacks—“not unlike raising animals for slaughter.”

With horrors of battle occurring ever more amid the civilian population, Gordon wonders if “the masters of war gathered together philosophers and intellectuals to develop a moral theory for postmodern wars.” Because surely, he points out, it doesn’t involve Israelis hearing how 80% of Gaza inhabitants are dependent on humanitarian assistance. (More Israel stories.)

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