The Martlet

Hamas soldiers are using children as human shields. At least that's what a posted cartoon that recently popped up at UVic would have you believe.

The image depicts two soldiers, one Hamas and one Israeli, facing each other with guns raised. Two infants lay in baby carriages, one in front of the Hamas soldier, and the other behind the Israeli. The caption above the image reads: Here's a political cartoon you're not likely to see in the world media. Below, it dictates the reader to Spread it!

Of the two cartoons like this I found pinned to the bulletin boards in the Clearihue building, one had Islam's shame scrawled on it, with the Hamas soldier circled in purple felt.

They were not approved for posting by the university, and I removed them.

As the person or organization responsible for posting these images was too cowardly to identify themselves, I will address my concerns regarding this simplistic and dangerous propaganda within the public sphere of debate.

Firstly, the idea that Hamas is Islam's shame is insulting to both Hamas and the Muslim world as a whole. Need I mention the crusades, missionaries, or the multitude of other atrocities committed under the name of Jesus Christ? I suspect this was a later addition, not intended by the original distributor, but it speaks volumes that our community could still host even this small iota of bigotry.

Secondly, the idea that an anti-Palestine, pro-Israel perspective is not being presented in the world media is ludicrous. Simply tune into any news report, television, radio, or print, and the simple truth is that the overwhelming majority is so decidedly biased against the occupied Palestinian people that this lie cannot support itself beyond even the most casual scrutiny.

Thirdly, Hamas soldiers are not using infants as human shields, but here is an irony unintended by whoever drew the original cartoon: within this simplified and de-contextualized illustration, the one shooting the baby is the Israeli.

This, at least, the facts bear out: according to UNICEF, over 300 children have been killed in Gaza and 1,500 wounded since Dec. 27, 2008. In contrast, 10 Israeli soldiers have been killed, along with three civilians; I don't think I need to do the math for you. In this cartoon, the baby is in front of the Hamas soldier because there is no other room for it.

Not to mention that the two soldiers are depicted as equals in firepower, facing each other on level ground. Never mind that Gaza does not have enough food, water, medicine, or electricity to go around thanks to the Israeli blockade.

This recent invasion is surprising only in that Israel has stopped bombing the densely-populated area long enough to send in a modern mechanized army funded by U.S. tax dollars. In contrast, the Hamas rockets were described by the BBC as homemade.

Personally, I cannot condone the use of violence for any reason. Of this, both Hamas and Israel are guilty. However Israel is also an occupying force which has deprived the Palestinian people of food and water while removing them from the land they have inhabited for generations.

Israel controls Gaza's air and sea access, as well as travel and international trade. It has imposed sanctions preventing basic human aid from reaching the people of Gaza. Any debate regarding the current conflict cannot ignore these factors.

I am not apologizing for the actions of anyone in this war, but people always have reasons for their actions and crucial to understanding this is also appreciating that every issue has two sides or more.

If anyone is looking for censorship in the world media they need look no farther than the Israeli Army. A recent CBC Radio report was one of the few to report from inside Gaza, but the account was brief, as the army would only allow in journalists who would agree to military censorship.

The thing about censorship, is that you never really know what parts are not being reported: there are not even any holes of information or innuendo allowing the receiver to know that something is not being said.

If Israel is on the side of right, as they claim, why are reporters not allowed to report independently? Those who have done no wrong should fear no truth.

This conflict is in many ways about the need for a homeland, a need for a place to settle and to live within a community and a need for a culture to maintain its ancient connections to religion and identity. As a people who claim to value justice and democracy, we cannot be one-sided in this issue.

Yes, the Israeli people have the right to a nation free from fear and oppression, but not at the expense of these same basic rights for the Palestinian people. Are these not the principles that the State of Israel was founded upon? Why then are they allowed to pervert these beliefs in their own name?

Better they had sent bread instead of bullets.