Comments on: Reuters 2007 “Eyes on the world” desk calendar attacked by Zionist

By: Wassim

Wassim — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:58:39 +0000

Karin,
I see your point and it is a valid one to some extent. IMHO, the representation of Palestinians in the calendar as “militants” may not show the inner strength and beauty of the Palestinian people in resistance is a moot point, I can’t help but think that 59 years of trying to show this inner beauty to an indifferent Europe, North America and I’m afraid to say Arab world, has done them no good. If anything this picture demonstrates that a struggle of some sort is still going on, and if it makes the person viewing it question the reasons for that struggle, then that is one more person who will try to educate themselves at some level. Haitham brings up a good point in that the calendar was not about Palestine so they only picked one picture. Unfortunately it is images such as these which have kept the Palestinian issue alive, otherwise the Palestinians would be suffering the same fate as the Sami’s of Scandinavia. Nobody knows about them or what happened to them and nobody cared.

By: Haitham

Haitham — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 09:15:32 +0000

Dear Karin,

I agree with you in the concept, however, this is not a “Palestine Calendar” so you can’t have all type of pictures to show the other side of Palestine. When anyone is asked about Palestine, the first thing that comes to their mind is “Palestinian terrorist” as they are called, not militants, not resistance, not people under occupation and all what it leaves. You are right in saying that not all Palestinians are militants, but all Palestinians are under occupation, and this picture sum it all as I said.

By: SakuraPassion

SakuraPassion — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 08:28:44 +0000

Very nice post!

I can’t stand the bias, it’s really bad in the US. Whenever Isrealis bulldoze a Palestinians house it’s “self defense.” But when Palestinians defend themselves it’s “terrorism.”

By: gianluca costantini

gianluca costantini — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 07:21:22 +0000

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men sign bombs in front of a mobile artillery unit
positioned in the northern village of Fassuta, near the Lebanese border,
July 24, 2006. REUTERS

By: Karin

Karin — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 02:05:42 +0000

Haitham, I do highly respect your opinion as well as your insight but – sorry dear friend – this time I have to wholeheartedly disagree! I do NOT think it is a matter of being biased or not wanting to hear about occupation or confrontation … it is about something much MORE SIGNIFICANT in my eyes: about how Palestinians (MOST people out there, nevermind where, are ignorant) are presented or introduced to the viewer who usually doesn’t have any particular idea about what is REALLY going on! THIS PICTURE, Haitham, is supposed to represent THE Palestinian people in general – THIS IS how people everywhere are going to see “Palestinians” and that in MY eyes, is WRONG!
Not ALL Palestinians are militants, not ALL Palestininas run around with (red) face masks … not ALL Palestians condone violence! It doesn’t teach anything about the daily plight of the people, the suffering, the problems they are confronted with 24/7 … doesn’t show their beauty, dignity, inner strength! THAT would be realistic … but not a red-masked resistence-fighter!

The picture does – in my humble opinion – give the wrong message and I would definitely change it! I don’t care about Zionists complaining about it … I want the Palestinian People to be represented the RIGHT way, the world to see a realistic picture of how they REALLY are. THIS does NOT do the right job!

You know how much I care, about my love for them! I trust you don’t misunderstand my motives …

By: kalam

kalam — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 01:04:05 +0000

you know why it’s undesireable? because the photo commits a major journalistic sin, and that is to humanize arabs/muslims. for God’s sake, people looking at that calendar have to look into the eyes of that individual, for a whole month! how can they be put through that? he’s not human! he’s a monster!

of course, they still didn’t give his name, because palestinians don’t have names.

By: Haitham

Haitham — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 19:42:22 +0000

Thanks for spreading the word, Wassim and Izzi :-)

By: izzi

izzi — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 17:53:48 +0000

I will also post a copy of this post on my blog and link to you, thank you for the information Sabah.

By: Wassim

Wassim — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 13:48:53 +0000

Good article and I’ve now posted a copy on my blog. Keep up the good work on your informative and interesting blog.

By: kimmy

kimmy — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 01:36:35 +0000

The news in the west is biased.
We don’t hear about the occupation.
All we hear about is Israeli persecution and how it is going on.
Now the persecuted people are the persecutors and it is OK!
STOP THE OCCUPATION!
Simple comment that will stop most of the Middle East conflicts.