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January 28, 2006

Hamas wins Palestinian elections, part III

BBC News is now reporting on clashes between Palestinians. The reporter has done a pretty good job of twisting the English language into giving the reader the impression that Palestinians are a naturally violent people -- the photo helps here, too -- and that Hamas is somehow to blame, although no actual facts in the article point to that interpretation. Instead the Hamas quote this time concerns senior Hamas official Ismail Haniya's views on how their organization wants to build a government:

"When we are calling for unity and partnership it is not because we are afraid or weak or incapable of facing the challenges ahead, but because we believe in unity."

Hey, them's fightin' words! Or at least they sounded that way to whoever in Fatah got upset (or paid) enough to pick up a Kalashnikov.

That must be why the rest of the article is devoted to how the US administration, the European Commission, and Israeli authorities have taken a tough stance on Hamas's election win.

I don't know Hamas from any other political party. Their management is probably like management everywhere, and it'll no doubt all end in tears. On the other hand, it seems like there's still the possibility to prevent breakdowns before negotiations which could save lives, and bring a measure of security and peace to the place.

Maybe in the effort to help that happen a few journalists and editors could step across the normal editorial line. If they were to lose their jobs at the BBC, they're still obviously good at twisting facts around to appear say what they don't. Marketing organizations everywhere are hurting for those vital skills.

Posted by Mark at January 28, 2006 10:42 AM

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Comments

Power games. You don't see them in the US because you are so far from power, but in small places, they are right under the surface, boiling over in times of trouble. But this is what it looks like: rivalries, claims to legitimacy, promises, threats, dealings, conniving. It's not a conspiracy, it's just how people with influnce play the big game of chess that is life for whatever motives they have.

Posted by: Andy at January 30, 2006 11:22 PM