Passions are once again inflamed in Israel as the never-ending conflict with the Palestinians continues. In the latest episode, Shireen Abu-Aqleh, a Palestinian-American journalist for Al Jazeera, was shot dead while covering a skirmish, battle, wherever you want to call it between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians. Her funeral in Jerusalem this week got out of control when Palestinians refused to follow Israeli orders to transport her body to her burial place by car as opposed to a procession by foot.
Once again, the well-oiled Palestinian propaganda machine is accusing Israel of deliberately murdering Abu-Aqleh.
That is an open question since the bullet retrieved from Abu-Aqleh's skull is in the possession of the Palestinian Authority, and they are refusing to share the bullet with Israeli authorities. For the Palestinians, the case is closed. Abu-Aqleh was shot by an Israeli soldier, and furthermore, it was not a case of her being caught in the crossfire. It was a deliberate targeting according to the Palestinian version.
I should emphasize here that I do not know what happened. The Israelis, unlike the Palestinians, are saying they don't know what happened. Whatever the truth is, it should be brought out. If it was a case of a war reporter being caught in a crossfire, it is a tragedy regardless of where the bullet came from. What is truly important to determine is the Palestinian charge of deliberate murder of a Palestinian journalist (who was pro-Palestinian in her reporting, which should be irrelevant).
In my mind, the important distinction is that Israel is a democratic state with a credible system of justice. It has shown that it can punish wrongdoing by police or soldiers. That is hardly the case with the Hamas-ruled Gaza or the West Bank under the corrupt Palestinian Authority. If the Palestinians want to withhold the fatal bullet and conclude that Israel deliberately assassinated Abu-Aqleh, they will be believed only by their rabid followers both in the Middle East, the UN, and here in the US, especially in academia.
Take University of Michigan professor Juan Cole, who seems to be on a personal crusade to bring down Israel. Here is what this "learned academic" has concluded sitting in his ivory tower in Ann Arbor in his blog, Informed Comment.
Juan Cole, you see, is informed.
For me, sitting here in my study in Orange County, I don't pretend to know what happened. I would like to see a full and impartial investigation that all sides can agree on. If the Palestinians choose to hold on to their evidence and merely accuse the Israelis of deliberate murder, then their case should be viewed with skepticism. It suggests they have something to hide. The bullet itself would likely show which side fired it, but it would not in itself prove any deliberate attempt.
Apparently, however, the Palestinians have already proved their case to their supporters worldwide. The Juan Coles of the world have reached their verdict.
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