Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Gaza Flotilla: Media Prefers "Eyewitness Testimony" Over Pictures And Videos

The BBC is typical with its article Witnesses cast doubt on Israel's convoy raid account:

Some examples:


"This was not an act of self-defence," said Mr Paech, a politician, as he arrived back in Berlin wrapped in a blue blanket.


"Personally I saw two and a half wooden batons that were used... There was really nothing else. We never saw any knives.


You mean like these?



And besides 'batons'...



"This was an attack in international waters on a peaceful mission... This was a clear act of piracy," he added.

One more example of laymen with no concept of international law cheerfully offering their opinion of what it should be:

SECTION V : NEUTRAL MERCHANT VESSELS AND CIVIL AIRCRAFT

Neutral merchant vessels

67. Merchant vessels flying the flag of neutral States may not be attacked unless they:

(a) are believed on reasonable grounds to be carrying contraband or breaching a blockade, and after prior warning they intentionally and clearly refuse to stop, or intentionally and clearly resist visit, search or capture;
Fellow German activist Inge Hoeger said they had been on the ships "for peaceful purposes".



Activist Bayram Kalyon, arriving back in Istanbul, had been a passenger on the Turkish passenger ship Mavi Marmara where most, if not all, of the deaths occurred.

"The captain... told us 'They are firing randomly, they are breaking the windows and entering inside. So you should get out of here as soon as possible'. That was our last conversation with him."


Then the BBC should be tracking him down and talking to him--not acceptable the hearsay of someone else.
Contrary to the BBC headline--Kalyon is not an eyewitness at all.

And why only 3 'witnesses'?

This is not a case of testimony vs. Israel's account--Israel has video and pictures.
In fact, only Israel is forced to videotape their operations, because of the inevitable criticisms and accusations.
And only Israel finds that visual proof is considered "doubtful".

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1 comment:

NormanF said...

Even proof that acquits Israel is considered no proof at all. Israel was accused, charged, convicted and hanged by the international lynch mob at the UN.

So much for accepted standards of due process and justice. The accused were Jews and its up to them to establish their innocence.