In this installment of BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen’s diary about the Israeli-Palestinian war, Bowen describes how, thanks in part to technology, the word on Gaza is getting out despite the Israeli ban on foreign journalists.
Jeremy Bowen, BBC:
If you are a reporter parachuted into a place, even one you know well, generally any trouble that happens does not feel personal. I have never had to describe advancing tanks viewed from my own front room and I hope I never have to.
The logical thing to do for any reporter is to narrow the distance between yourself and the story.
But I stopped in Jerusalem and went into the office. Why? Because Israel still won’t let foreign correspondents into Gaza.
So I have been following it on the wires and through the messages coming from our guys.
At 1517, Hamada messaged that the UN HQ was burning again, and huge clouds of black smoke were covering most of the southern part of the city.
Later on, Rushdi got his family out to somewhere safer.
Israel has cited all kinds of logistical and safety reasons for not obeying its Supreme Court ruling ordering the entry of a small group of foreign journalists into Gaza. Obviously, the Israelis feel that they are better able to control the news agenda by restricting the right of reporters to report.
But the fact that there are good Palestinian journalists in Gaza means that accurate and trustworthy accounts of what is happening are getting out.
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By cyrena, January 15, 2009 at 7:27 pm Link to this comment
By eileen fleming, January 15 at 3:03 pm
Eileen,
Thanks for the links to and info for Sameh
Here’s a single piece of information from his diary that made my blood curdle, even though I’m not surprised..
• ” Israeli MP and Leader: Afghdor Liberman says that “Gaza has to be erased from the Map by Nuclear bombs like what Americans used in Heroshima and Nagazaki.”
So no, I’m not surprised, but I’m still terrorized, and I’m not even in Gaza or any other part of the Middle East. At least not physically. I’m just feeling the terror that the Palestinians have been subjected to for all of this time.
Report thisBy eileen fleming, January 15, 2009 at 4:03 pm Link to this comment
Have you met 23 year old Sameh A. Habeeb, in Gaza?
He is a Photojournalist & Peace Activist Humanitarian, Child Relief Worker Gaza Strip, Palestine
Mob: 00972599306096
Tel: 0097282802825
E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Skype: Gazatoday, Facebook: Sameh A. habeeb
Web: http://www.gazatoday.blogspot.com
Daily Photos:http://picasaweb.google.com/sameh.habeeb
One Click to Tell Big Media to STOP GAZA Blackout and Biased coverage:
http://action.gazajustice.org/t/4436/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=905
Report thiseileen fleming, senior correspondent and founder WAWA:
http://www.WeAreWideAwake.org
By cyrena, January 15, 2009 at 3:27 pm Link to this comment
The Israelis have now progressed so obscenely beyond crazy that it’s indescribable; at least in terms of any language I know.
And, as I read that these crazy bastards have AGAIN blasted/bombed THE UNITED NATIONS FACILITIES,(guess the school and all of those kids was just the appetizer)there is TV buzz in the background, talking endless about an apparent US Airways incident) ZERO mention on any US News media currently airing, about the fact that Israel is blowing up United Nations facilities, killing and injuring UN employees in addition to the civilians they are there to assist.
This is why the rest of the WORLD has condemned Israel, except for the US of course.
Anyway, I’m glad to get this information from the professional Palestinian journalists that can provide it, and yes…I’m thankful for the technology as well. The links are really helpful too; especially the Bowen Diary. That’s a real ‘find’ for some of us looking for the real story as it is unfolding, instead of this god damned prepacked propaganda.
So thanks for the “leads” TD!
Report thisBy troublesum, January 15, 2009 at 2:49 pm Link to this comment
One feels as sorry for the Israelis for what they have become as one feels for the Palestinians and the lack of moral leadership from Washington is simply appalling. Obama is too small for the office he was elected to.
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