Israel struck a Mosque in Gaza yesterday, a kindergarten too, fired rockets into Lebanon and raided the West Bank, but if you read today’s mainstream media headlines, the Middle East might as well be at peace. Like the war in Ukraine, it’s no longer front-page news in Australia.
The SMH and The Age both carry an analysis today buried down in their World section decrying Israel not doing a deal with Hamas, The Australian has a puff piece by Chris Mitchell blaming the media for Middle East misinformation (sic), and the ABC‘s website has another analysis piece currently sitting at number eight on their home page.
Even The Guardian has pushed Israel war coverage well below the fold, except for a story about those pesky Houthis. And their long-running daily updates from Ukraine disappeared weeks ago.
But hey, the Grammy’s are on, and our Kylie is back on the podium, so what gives?
Meanwhile, Hamas is still holding more than a hundred hostages, the US is raining bombs on Yemen and other belligerents, and the people of Gaza remain without medical supplies, water and food. That’s not a concern to President Biden, though, who has presented Congress with a $US118B package that includes another $US60B of support to Ukraine and $US14.1B to Israel.
Biden does, however, reassure the world that the US does not really seek conflict.
Today, at my direction, U.S. military forces struck targets in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack U.S. forces.
We do not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world.
But to all those who seek to do us harm: We will respond.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 2, 2024
Editor’s Note: the media has downplayed Israel’s brutality in Gaza for three months; now to the point where they appear to be just hoping it all goes away. Israel is on trial for genocide but you will will not see the “g-word” mentioned.
Kim Wingerei is a businessman turned writer and commentator. He is passionate about free speech, human rights, democracy and the politics of change. Originally from Norway, Kim has lived in Australia for 30 years. Author of ‘Why Democracy is Broken – A Blueprint for Change’.