Chan Lowe: Middle East Rorschach test
It tells you something about the power that the Internet and social media have accrued in our lives that both sides amply documented the Israeli raid on the would-be blockade-runners for Facebook and YouTube.
It was a contrived event conceived as a salvo in the all-important public relations war, and the battlefield is the world’s computer and television screens.
Since we now have video evidence of what transpired from every possible angle, all that’s left is for the world to interpret what it sees.
That interpretation, naturally, gets filtered through the prism of each observer’s background and prejudices. What we “see” is what suits our own personal narrative and belief system. Anything that doesn’t fit into the matrix is discarded.
In the end, nothing will be resolved, because the “rightness” or “wrongness” of people’s actions are judged within a historical context, and that depends on whose history you’re buying, and how far back you want to go.
In any case, the sooner we get past who’s right or wrong and simply accept that everyone has a right to exist with dignity, the sooner we’ll end the tragedy.
So simple, yet so unattainable.
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
FACTS: This 'terror flotilla' was trying to break a LEGAL maritime blockade and Israel had full international legal rights to board these ships in international waters to stop them breaking the blockade. Of the 6 boats in this flotilla, 5 boats were boarded, the protestors complied and they were safely let to shore.One boat – the Mavi Marmara – did not comply. That is the boat where the violence took place. "We fully intend to go to Gaza regardless of any intimidation or threats of violence against us, they are going to have to forcefully stop us," said one of the flotilla’s organizers. There is even video of one of the passengers stating clearly in English he went hoping to become a martyr. This is just another form of suicide bombing, they go all out with zero respect for ANY human life knowing full well that either they will kill you or you will kill them. If Israel were to allow these boats to go directly to Gaza, the next time Hamas will make sure they are loaded with arms & amunition. This 'terror flotilla' was trying to break a LEGAL maritime blockade and Israel had full rights to board these ships in international waters to stop them breaking the blockade.
Posted by: Anthony Mammon | June 3, 2010 3:14 PM
So Chan, if I understand well your view on this situation involving an Israeli action, an ordinary white fellow with a hat is supposed to have the opposite perception of an arab looking fellow wearing a keffiyeh? ;-)
Posted by: Phil | June 4, 2010 4:12 AM
Here is a video and wiki link about a previous aid shipment.
Amazing how many mortars are included in "humanitarian aid".
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=67b_1275959417
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francop_Affair
This justifies any ship stoppage by Israel.
Posted by: Plantation Dad | June 8, 2010 11:31 AM
"Since we now have video evidence of what transpired from every possible angle, all that’s left is for the world to interpret what it sees."
If there is video of the Israeli commandos shooting the nine Turks, I haven't seen it. Usually, Israel will never allows it to be released. Did I miss it?
Posted by: Max42 | June 8, 2010 3:36 PM