Five

This is a mural painted by Jorit in Italy.

I'm disappointed that you're replicating the flawed asymmetric standards of Israel in this conversation. I've linked to sources for my statements, but you've made controversial claims while putting the burden on me to find what sources you're using to bolster your confidence. If your goal is to signify your 'team,' this conversation is over. If you would like to try and build a shared reality where we can agree on facts, your lack of respect for me is harming that goal.

To their credit, the g20 video they streamed alongside their false commentary is enough to discredit their interpretation of events.

All journalism should be subject to verification, especially news from capitalist or authoritarian regimes. It should be noted that the BBC did not say they were wrong that Israel struck the Al-Ahli Hospital, only that they were wrong to report that Israel struck the Al-Ahli Hospital.

Responsible journalism holds itself to particular standards, such as having reliable sources, or multiple independent indications of evidence. The BBC journalist was speaking live on air, off the cuff, and had no way to reliably verify the source of the explosion besides his gut instincts. Meanwhile Al Jazeera has done significantly more work reporting on this issue, including digital forensics and interviews with military specialists. They won't retract their statement because it holds up to the highest of journalistic standards. While Jon Donnison was wrong to report what he did, his intuitions appear to have been ultimately correct.

It should be noted that Israel's internal reporting does not appear to follow these journalism norms. Arab and Muslim reporters are outraged by the lack of journalistic standards behind some of the reports that have been widely spread to incite public outrage in against Palestinians, when their reporting is held to comparatively impossible standards.

While Al Jazeera Arabic and the state of Qatar have a justifiably bad reputation, Al Jazeera English is staffed with veteran reporters from Britain, America, and Australia who have distinguished themselves in their field. They consistently outperform the BBC on most metrics of journalism when reporting on anything besides internal Qatari affairs. This is not to say they are flawless or do not make mistakes, only as you continue to hold them accountable, consider the context in which they are reporting and the norms they should be held to.

When I saw this comment, I didn't parse it 'cause it wasn't obvious to me what they were trying to say. Now that you've unpacked it, it's much more clear, and yes, completely fucked. Thanks for calling them out.

Yes, that is telling. I think I misread the tone of your comment. Sorry about that.

Semafor isnt American?

Seattle Rabbi David Basior Eulogizes Former Congregant Killed by Hamas, Says Occupation Must End

As more details emerge about the shocking Hamas attack on Saturday, we speak with Rabbi David Basior of Kadima Reconstructionist Community, a progressive Jewish group in Seattle focused on social justice. Basior’s former congregant Hayim Katsman was among those killed in Israel by Hamas militants who stormed Kibbutz Holit. The 32-year-old was a gardener, mechanic and peace activist who worked with anti-occupation groups. During the attack, he shielded a woman from bullets with his own body, saving her life at the cost of his own. Katsman’s family have said that he would not have wanted his death to fuel retribution against Palestinians. “Life is the utmost. It is the most core teaching that I have received from my tradition, from my ancestors,” says Basior, who evokes the phrase “never again,” used in remembrance of the Holocaust and other genocides, and says that precept means the violence against Palestinians “must be spoken out against.”

Egypt refuses foreigners passage from Gaza except as part of aid agreement

Ahram Online , Saturday 14 Oct 2023

Egyptian authorities have refused the passage of foreign residents of Gaza through the Rafah crossing, except as part of a foreign aid delivery agreement, Al-Qahera News TV reported, citing informed sources.

The word is useless for describing violent acts in a meaningful way. It can mean making children traumatized with bombs, or making HOA members afraid their property value will decrease with graffiti, vastly different actions and outcomes.

Tellingly, none of the people who tried to overthrow the government and caused hundreds of senators and congresspeople to retreat in fear have been charged with terrorism.

Meanwhile, people who take videos of animal abuse on farms are terrorists. Eric King is housed at the infamous prison for terrorists ADX Florence, and is referred to the counterterrorism unit for passing out Union cards.

No one who wants to be taken seriously should use the word "terrorist" in a descriptive context. It is not a meaningful word, it's a noise people make when the word they actually mean is socially inappropriate or politically inopportune.

I agree Iran uses fear to control its citizens, but that's a pretty facile statement in an English speaking community. How do you feel about Anastasija Kukhta or Mikhail Lazakovich, both convicted of terrorism?

as in anyone espousing the ideology of instilling fear as a weapon.

I wish that was what the word "terrorist" means.

It has always meant anyone using asymmetric tactics to oppose states or capitalism, both violent and non-violent. If it simply meant using fear as a weapon, then every state that has prisons and police would be terrorist.

The standard usage of the word is so hypocritical that it has become an authoritarian allegiance-signifying pejorative without any deeper meaning.