The Children of Palestine: A Photo Essay on Israel’s War Crimes in Gaza
I could write until I’m even bluer in the face, but the fact is, I’ve been profoundly ill over the past month and don’t have the mental or physical energy I’d like to devote to writing on Israel’s deplorable, reprehensible, illegal slaughtering of the citizens of Gaza. Here, I’m going to work from the axiom that a picture is worth 1,000 words, prefacing the horrors, below, with some comment on one of Israel’s more reprehensible lies: “human shields”
Israel would like the world to believe that the pictures of these children serve as further indictment and evidence of Hamas terrorism. What a clever propaganda ploy: blame the deaths of women and children on the enemy. Tell the world that Hamas is using these people as “human shields” so that, when the photos of mangled babies, children and women arrive over the news wires, it can all be blamed on Hamas, not on Israel’s bombs, which are blasting Gaza’s hospitals, mosques, universities and homes into oblivion.
January 5: The body of one of three Palestinian siblings from the Al-samoni family, killed by an Israeli tank shell, lies in the mortuary of Al-Shifa hospital, on January 5, 2009 in Gaza City. Seven members from the Al-samoni family were killed including the mother, three children and a baby, when an Israeli shell struck their house south of Gaza city.
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Of course, it goes without saying that it would be difficult to engage in a wanton, fullscale bombing campaign on one of the most densely populated regions on earth — with 1.5 million people packed into 146 square miles — without killing babies and children, who comprise nearly half of the entire population. It also goes without saying that those who persist in blindly supporting Israel’s hideous war crimes would need some justfication for condoning the killing and maiming of the innocent women, children, babies and, yes, men that compose the “collateral damage” of Israel’s bombs and the “human shields” of their propaganda campaign.
And speaking of propaganda, check out the photo, left, of NY Mayor Bloomberg, visiting an Israeli child in the hospital — the photo-op intended to leave us with the impression that this child is somehow a victim of the war, which is a lie. This is simply an Israeli child in the hospital (perhaps getting his tonsils removed?) , as contrasted with the photos, below, which are real-life photos of children maimed and killed by Israel — just over the past 2 days, alone!
I encourage you to look at these photos with both eyes open, and then write your legislators, write to your editors and, most importantly, write to Obama, via change.gov. He needs to hear our outrage over the ongoing U.S. support of Israel’s reprehensible behavior, both in general and, specifically, their genocide campaign against the people of Palestine.
January 5: A wounded Palestinian boy is treated at the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, after an Israeli missile strike early Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
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January 5: A dead Palestinian infant is brought to the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, after an Israeli tank shell hit a house early Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
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January 5: Wounded Palestinian children arrive for treatment at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, after an Israeli strike early Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
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A relative reacts in front of the bodies of three children killed by an Israeli tank shell, Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, early Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
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An ambulance worker carries the body of a boy from the Al-Samoni family as he arrives at the Al-Shifa hospital on January 5, 2009 in Gaza city, Gaza Strip.
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January 4: Palestinians carry a boy into Shifa hospital in Gaza City, wounded during the Israeli army operation in Gaza, Sunday Jan. 4, 2009.
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January 4: Palestinian medics carry the body of a boy, killed by an Israeli shell, at the hospital in Gaza January 4, 2009.
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January 4: A Palestinian medics wheel a boy, injured during the Israeli operation in Gaza, into Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.
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A wounded Palestinian boy is carried into a hospital in Gaza January 4, 2009.
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January 4: A wounded Palestinian boy is helped as he arrives at a hospital on January 4, 2009 in Gaza City, Gaza.
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A Palestinian medic carries a wounded boy into a hospital in Gaza City on January 4, 2009.
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A wounded Palestinian boy is carried into the Al-Shifa hospital on January 4, 2009 in Gaza City, Gaza Strip.
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January 4: Palestinian doctors attend to a wounded boy in Beit Lahia hospital in the northern Gaza Strip .
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January 4: A Palestinian medic carries the body of a girl, killed by an Israeli shell, at the hospital in Gaza January 4, 2009.
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January 4: A Palestinian girl cries during the funeral of a relative that was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.
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January 5: A wounded Palestinian girl is tended to as she arrives at the Al-Shifa hospital on January 5, 2009 in Gaza city,.
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Palestinians try to get an ambulance to transport a badly wounded girl (top) and a man following Israeli artillery shelling in Gaza City on January 4, 2009.
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A Palestinian girl cries during the funeral of her brother who was killed after an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip January 4, 2009.
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January 4: A wounded Palestinian girl is carried into a hospital on January 4, 2009 in Gaza .
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January 4: A body of Palestinian girl is carried into a hospital on January 4, 2009 in Gaza .
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A Palestinian woman sits on the floor of the Shifa hospital in Gaza beside her baby, who was wounded by an Israeli tank shell on January 5, 2009.
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A Palestinian baby wounded by an Israeli tank shell is treated by doctors at Shifa hospital in Gaza January 5, 2009.
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January 5: The bodies of three Palestinian siblings from the Al-samoni family, killed by an Israeli tank shell early on January 5, 2009, lie in the mortuary of Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza City.
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A relative sits next to body of one-year-old baby Farah Al-Helo as she lies on the body of her uncle, killed by an Israeli tank shell early on January 5, 2009.
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A Palestinian father carries his wounded baby daughter into a hospital in Gaza City on January 4, 2009, as Israeli troops continue its ground assault in Gaza. The half dozen hospitals in Gaza cannot cope with more patients, and casualties are overflowing out of regular wards into corridors as Israeli troops push deep into Gaza.
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January 4: (two photos, above) Medical workers carry wounded Palestinian babies into the Al-Shifa hospital on January 4, 2009 in Gaza City, Gaza Strip.
A wounded Palestinian woman lies with her baby at the Al-Shifa hospital.
Palestinian boys wounded by an Israeli tank shell wait for treatment at Shifa hospital in Gaza January 5, 2009.
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January 5, 2009: Congratulatory spirits prevail among European and Israeli power elites, posing for a photograph at the Jerusalem office of Tzipi Livni, one of three candidates for Israeli Prime Minister in the upcoing Feb. 10 elections. (PHOTO: From right to left, European Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero Waldner, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, Israel’s Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner and EU Foreign policy chief Javier Solana).
After all, it took Israel only 18+ months of starving the people of Gaza, and depriving them of medical supplies, water and fuel — along with the two Israeli bombing campaigns (in August and on Nov. 4, 2008, in which Israel broke the terms of the ceasefire) — to finally provoke Hamas into returning fire (with its pathetically weak arsenal of rockets, sticks and stones) on November 5th, thereby giving the Israel the necessary justification to kick this well-planned war and propaganda campaign into high gear. If all goes according to plan, the politicans up for election in early February will reap the benefits of showing the Israeli people how very committed their parties are to slaughtering Palestinians. The contest boils down to this: which politician promises to slaughter the most Paliestinians? From the expression on her face, candidate Tzipi Livni (above) is feeling a surge of confidence in the wake of the deaths over the past 2 days.
January 4, 2009: Still more jubilation from Livni’s opponent, Israeli Defense Minister candidate Ehud Barak (r), as he hams it up for the cameras in this January 4 photo-op with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (l) in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Israel’s third candidate in the upcoming election, Benjamin Netanyahu, takes a different tack altogether in this tender photo-op from last week, as he talks to Israeli children while holding a goat, presumably hoping to impress upon Israeli voters, and the world at large, that he is *not* part of a cruel terrorist state that slaughters innocents, but that he really likes children, and (much like his crony, George W. Bush) is rather fond of goats, too.
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by Mantis Katz for the canarypapers
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For more reading:
The Guardian: Gaza: the logic of colonial power (by Nir Rosen) As so often, the term ‘terrorism’ has proved a rhetorical smokescreen under cover of which the strong crush the weak ….
The Nation: This magazine continues its usual offering of quality journalism in its coverage of this war. Scan through the headlines to find articles on Israel, Palestine and Gaza.
Chris Floyd: This site offers an excellent collection of reputable news articles on the Israeli attack (along with news articles on the other wars). Today’s installments include an article on Israel’s use of phosphorus shells over civilian populations — a *special* type of bomb that inflicts hideous burns to the flesh. Using these chemical weapons over civilian populations is illegal according to the Geneva Conventions, but Israel has so managed to sidestep this law through clever semantics. (NOTE: Chris Floyd’s website, dubbed ”Empire Burlesque: High Crimes and Low Comedy in the American Imperium,” is an important addition to any newsgatherers “favorites” list. You may need to scan down the page to find the beginning of the articles.)
More reading from the blogs:
Lenin’s Tomb: A credible and informative blog, sourced with sound links, with analysis and history of the Israeli-Palestine conflicts.
Dennis Perrin’s view on Israel, Palestine and Hamas:
http://dennisperrin.blogspot.com/2008/12/killing-floor-expands.html
Jon Schwarz talks about why the UN caves on Israel:
http://www.tinyrevolution.com/mt/archives/002750.html#more
Bernard Chazelle on the attack as dangerous political strategem:
http://www.tinyrevolution.com/mt/archives/002751.html
It is very unfortunate and or sad these things are going on in this world today. It is not like the Israelis said lets go kill some Palestinian children today. They were goaded and prodded into reacting. My heart goes out to the parents of the children. My heart also wants to condemn the Palestinians who continually want to send rockets into Israel. I ask what is Israel to do then?
Byron
January 5, 2009 at 7:54 pm
This war has destroyed ISREAl& Jews, why must election be a pretext for starting a war. I was thought that the jews were victims, but with this pictures, I now realise , there is no difference between what the Nazi did to the Jews and the Nazi-like action of the Isreali Army
Iyke
January 5, 2009 at 8:08 pm
The question must be asked, what is the political capital in all this, NOTHING,only more hatred, Isolation, and threat of terrorism for Isreal the Land I once so much loved. Just to satisfy the ego of LIVNI,BARACK and BIBI.
Man must be reminded that Power is only but a Vapour.Vanity upon vanity.
Iyke
January 5, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Iyke,
I agree. It is difficult to believe that the Jews, who have been so persecuted over the centuries — up to and including the horrors of the Holocaust — would be capable of inflicting these same horrors on other populations. Here is a link to an article that ponders this very perplexing question. http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090112/shawn?rel=hp_currently
While oil politics and end-times prophesy are major factors in America’s seemingly unconditional support of Israel, I can offer no explanation for Israel’s violence, warmongering and seeming aversion to peacemaking in the region, except that they apparently feel (and have felt since Israel was formed in 1948) entitled to the lands which rightfully belongs to the Palestinians.
Peace to all,
Mantis
Byron,
You are not alone in your belief that Israel is the victim. Sadly, this belief can only be attributed to the pervasive U.S.-Israeli propaganda, which so many rely on for facts. I would strongly urge you, and anyone with your viewpoint, to please read more about the history between Israel and Palestine. Genuine facts are harder to find than you’d think. One publication, The Nation (the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the US) has published some helpful info and factual perspectives this week:
Here is a link to a very readable piece titled, “A Memo to Obama on Israel,” which touches on some of the more important aspects of Israel’s history since its founding in 1948. The author of this piece, Uri Avnery, is a veteran of Israel’s 1948 war, a former Member of the Israel’s Knesset, a founder of the Gush Shalom peace movement and winner of the 2001 Right Livelihood Award, often called the “alternative Nobel Peace Prize.” http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090112/avnery?rel=hpbox
Here is a link to a statement by United Nations United Nations special rapporteur, Richard Falk, titled, “Israel’s War Crimes,” written 7 days ago, shortly after Israel began their assault on the Gaza.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090112/falk?rel=hp_currently
Lastly, here is a link to efforts to force Israel to immediately allow journalists and human rights monitors and workers access to Gaza (access which Israel has fought to bar) so that the victims of Gaza may receive the medical care they so desperately need, and so that the media and human rights monitors may report the facts on this war. http://www.thenation.com/blogs/actnow/393913
Peace to all,
Mantis
canarypapers
January 5, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Dear Byron,
It’s not like Israel said “We don’t want to kill helpless people trapped in the biggest concentration camp on Earth” either. Maybe they didn’t seek to use collective punishment but they don’t seem to have any qualms about it either.
Some (perhaps many?) Israelis only care about themselves and don’t mind abusing their power in a short-sighted, self-absorbed, misguided attempt to protect themselves. I thought the slaughter of civilians in Lebanon was bad enough 2 years ago, but no, now it gets even worse
When you attack people, you only make them stronger and more determined to resist you the only way they can, with rudimentary, home-made rockets. They have no voice and no influence in the Western world. America has not been able to bring about a lasting peace because it is manipulated by special interest groups.
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SH
January 6, 2009 at 5:18 am
I am aware of Gaza daily. Zionist extremist are doing this and not a Jewish faith I understand.
kerri
January 6, 2009 at 3:58 pm
We in the US should be calling for an immediate stop to any form of aid to Israel immediately. Bush is complecit in these murderous acts. I just hope Obama has the kahunas to chase the Israeli leadership responsible for these crimes to the gates of hell.
Israeli propoganda machine needs to be exposed for what it is. Aipac should be banned from operating in the US and any contributers should be put on a watch list. Time for Haig to put these murdering thugs and thieves to trial.
shawn
January 6, 2009 at 5:51 pm
1st. of all I would to register my condolence & sympathy to all victims of holocaust & genocides whoever they are.
I sympathies with the Jewish community (majority) who are isolated by the actions of the Zionist-Neo-Con mafia which let the holocaust happen in order to justify whatever inhuman action they do now.
As you know this Zionist-Neo-Con Mafia is in control of almost all western Nations & Corporations.
The only way to bring humanity back to this world is to rebel against this Mafia & restore real democracy to this world.
They thought you to practice Secularism and suppress whatever moral,religious values from Governess & Business practices; it is time to reapply these values & realize what they are doing is very wrong. Do not be blinded by the wealth that they offer, if you believe in Judgment day & GOD you will not support them.
May GOD save the Children of the world from The Zionist-Neo-Con Satans
Nizam
January 7, 2009 at 4:40 am
Shame on you Arab leaders…ALLAH IS GREAT.
May those beautiful children of Palestin rest in peace, They are now angels to our eye’s.
Israeli will be gettin whats coming to them…you play with fire you burn.
O.A
January 7, 2009 at 8:19 am
jewish make a palestine problem,but muslims are not get awareness,especially for arab leaders,o ya ALLAAH give hidaya for muslims,jewish,whole mankind.
mohammed arqam
June 1, 2009 at 11:41 am
I can’t believe the gullibility of most of the contributors to this conversation.
They see pictures of dead and/or wounded Arab children and conclude that Israel is cruel, inhuman, and “Nazi-Like”.
Wake up people. This is war. In every war children and other innocents die, and ALL WARS ARE INHUMANE AND IMMORAL.
Unfortunately this is our human reality, and no amount of idealism has helped to make wars go away.
However the comparison to NAZIs is not just ridiculous, it is clearly antisemitic.
NAZIS deliberately targeted civilians, deliberately killed children. There is not a single proof of Israelis deliberately targeting civilians, children or adults. The Palestinian propaganda claims that most of those killed during Gaza war, were “civilians”, however closer scrutiny of those “civilians” shows that majority of them were members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad and other military organizations.
Another interesting thing if someone looks at those pictures of Pal-victims: On some of them you can count as many as SEVER (7) camera men. Strangely Pals seem to stage photo-ups each time someone dies. They cynically use the death for their propaganda.
Thirdly, it is also important to notice, that nobody on these Palestinian propaganda pictures looks STARVED. They actually all look well-fed. Now go search for pictures from Warsaw Ghetto, and you see skeleton like people. Or you don’t even need to go that far back, go look at pictures from Dar-Furand you will see real human tragedy perpetrated by Arab Muslims on Black Muslims.
But the antisemitic “progressives” only are interested in condemning and attack Jews, thus Pals are their beloveds.
Ray Bright
June 22, 2009 at 12:35 pm
we all muslims need your attention isreal allways killing innocent children i have 100 of pics of innocent children
if u want to see just mail me at Aamir_kakar966@yahoo.com
Aamir
August 24, 2009 at 1:58 am
I mean peace guys, look at these picz, all killed for no reason? war? what war? these ppl have the right to fight for themselves n families, they cannot sit n wait till they get killed, same goes to israel. israel can say what they like, they’re just killing innocent ppl for their own good and thats a fact.
i have many friends who are from palestine christian or muslim, all have the same story line, family n friends have been killed?
PEACEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
lily
September 14, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Now I dont know much about this situation, but all I know that this is horrible what are happening to these people! Babies. children. women. men. HUMANS, serious.. what are people thinking. I thought that I had a hard life… look at these little children stuck in the middle of this. they are innocent. Breaks my heart
Brittany
September 23, 2009 at 1:07 pm