Spring Break
Editor confronts low media attention to Gaza crisis
Lucia Papureanu
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: News
"If Israel is chastised for the incident, it is not for the act itself, it is for not restraining their acts of violence," Baroud said. "Palestinians have no right to use any violence. Israel has a monopoly on violence."
While focusing on the extreme humanitarian crisis in Gaza, discussion included the Palestinian plight as well. Baroud told audience members of his father's fate in Palestine, where he, among others, died in a refugee camp last month after failing to receive proper medical treatment.
"I find myself talking about Gaza, but it's very hard not to talk about refugees or Palestinians living in Israel as second class citizens," Baroud said.
Ayman Alzraiee, a civil engineering PhD student, was born and raised in one of the eight camps in Gaza. While Alzraiee studies at CSU, his family is still living in a refugee camp of 20,000 Palestinians.
"Our problems started in 1948, and, now, in 2008, four million of us are refugees in camps, we are stateless," Alzraiee said, "Even in our passports we're not recognized."
Baroud said he too was surprised to find that most Americans, due to Israel's use of media as a tool, believe that Israel is the one being besieged. Baroud said the reality of the situation was that with every Israeli death, thirteen Palestinian were killed, and for every Israeli prisoner, 11,800 Palestinians were incarcerated.
"If you don't know the facts, chances are you're going to start from a faulty premise that will lead you to a faulty conclusion," Baroud said.
Sophmore political science major Alison Kent admitted to not have known of the level of violence and inequality happening in Palestine and felt blanketed by the media.
"The UN isn't making much of a difference, we should put somebody in power in the US that will make that change," Kent said.
The audience repeatedly directed the discussion towards Senator Clinton's declaration earlier this month on Good Morning America that if elected, she would "totally obliterate Iran" or any other country, in the case of an state-to-state attack over Israel.
Mughrabi, though supportive of "a woman President to break the monopoly of misogynistic men", said he was weary of how the Middle East could still count on a democratic state like United States when such statements were brought forth from political leaders.
"Is there any person that would find a moral justification in obliterating an entire country of millions of women and children?" Baroud said, adding that he was surprised at the lack of unrest in the media over Clinton's declaration.
With 63 percent of the population dependent on food for survival, Gaza is facing the worst humanitarian crisis since 1967, says CARE International UK, and the continuing violence against the Palestinians is likely to make things even worse.
"What is happening right now is slow ethnic cleansing, home by home, village by village, until Palestinians will lose their lands, homes and hope," Baroud said.
Staff writer Lucia Papureanu can be reached at news@collegian.com.
While focusing on the extreme humanitarian crisis in Gaza, discussion included the Palestinian plight as well. Baroud told audience members of his father's fate in Palestine, where he, among others, died in a refugee camp last month after failing to receive proper medical treatment.
"I find myself talking about Gaza, but it's very hard not to talk about refugees or Palestinians living in Israel as second class citizens," Baroud said.
Ayman Alzraiee, a civil engineering PhD student, was born and raised in one of the eight camps in Gaza. While Alzraiee studies at CSU, his family is still living in a refugee camp of 20,000 Palestinians.
"Our problems started in 1948, and, now, in 2008, four million of us are refugees in camps, we are stateless," Alzraiee said, "Even in our passports we're not recognized."
Baroud said he too was surprised to find that most Americans, due to Israel's use of media as a tool, believe that Israel is the one being besieged. Baroud said the reality of the situation was that with every Israeli death, thirteen Palestinian were killed, and for every Israeli prisoner, 11,800 Palestinians were incarcerated.
"If you don't know the facts, chances are you're going to start from a faulty premise that will lead you to a faulty conclusion," Baroud said.
Sophmore political science major Alison Kent admitted to not have known of the level of violence and inequality happening in Palestine and felt blanketed by the media.
"The UN isn't making much of a difference, we should put somebody in power in the US that will make that change," Kent said.
The audience repeatedly directed the discussion towards Senator Clinton's declaration earlier this month on Good Morning America that if elected, she would "totally obliterate Iran" or any other country, in the case of an state-to-state attack over Israel.
Mughrabi, though supportive of "a woman President to break the monopoly of misogynistic men", said he was weary of how the Middle East could still count on a democratic state like United States when such statements were brought forth from political leaders.
"Is there any person that would find a moral justification in obliterating an entire country of millions of women and children?" Baroud said, adding that he was surprised at the lack of unrest in the media over Clinton's declaration.
With 63 percent of the population dependent on food for survival, Gaza is facing the worst humanitarian crisis since 1967, says CARE International UK, and the continuing violence against the Palestinians is likely to make things even worse.
"What is happening right now is slow ethnic cleansing, home by home, village by village, until Palestinians will lose their lands, homes and hope," Baroud said.
Staff writer Lucia Papureanu can be reached at news@collegian.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 43
Registered Independent
posted 4/29/08 @ 9:07 AM MST
The world can hardly be expected to sympathize with a people such as the Palestinians, who strap explosives to their own teenagers and send them across the border to blow themselves up, along with whatever Israelis are in the vicinity. (Continued…)
EM
posted 4/29/08 @ 1:45 PM MST
It's sad to see ignorant college students subjected to these highly selected "facts." The Palestinians are instigating the violence in Gaza. Rocket attacs have continued unabated for years. (Continued…)
Binyamin
posted 4/29/08 @ 10:09 PM MST
The guy is not telling you the whole story. He's simply twisting facts. While Gaza is totally dependent on the fuel supply from Israel, Hamas terrorists from Gaza attack fuel terminal on Gaza-Israeli border and kill two Israeli workers who work on suppling fuel to Gaza! They also shoot at the trucks on Palestinian side trying to get the fuel supplied from Israel. (Continued…)
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 4/29/08 @ 10:58 PM MST
The terrorists and religious zealots are in heaven as they find more and more Liberal college kids to buy their load of crap PR campaign.
If you believe that then you probably want to rethink Hitler. (Continued…)
Ian
posted 4/30/08 @ 12:05 AM MST
Arabs aren't animals Craig. You know that.
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 4/30/08 @ 12:27 AM MST
I consider anyone that teaches a five year old child to stand up in front of other five years old children and their parents and scream he can't wait to slit the throat of Jews animals. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 4/30/08 @ 11:00 PM MST
I can assure you Ian I don't hate any one let alone an entire race of people.
I loathe and would like to see the kind of people i listed eliminated or incarcerated where they could never again commit the heinous acts they do. (Continued…)
basim
posted 5/02/08 @ 5:33 PM MST
I think when somebody steal your land from you as israeli people did then you have the right to resist the occupation by all means. This is how every country in this world got their freedom. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 5/02/08 @ 5:56 PM MST
Your wrong bassim you do not have the right to resist with any means necessary.
You have no right to kill innocent children who didn't steal anything from you. (Continued…)
Basim
posted 5/02/08 @ 7:25 PM MST
Thanks Craig for your comment but I really recommend that you read carefully the comments here and dont use bad words.
Nothing justify killing innocent people, kids or adults or elders, nothing at all. (Continued…)
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