Summer 2000: v7n123: Cyber data insufficient

The end of Israel's illegal occupation of Southern Lebanon has been labeled a crisis by the American media, but how can the end of Israel's brutal oppression in this particular region be anything but joyous?

The media fails to mention the genocide Israel committed in the Middle East while stealing land and resources to build a nation that essentially acts as a door for the United States to enter the volatile region.

"They are covering one side of the issue," said Salem Al-mutawa, president of the Muslim Students Association at Cal State Long Beach. "The media in the USA is controlled by some people who are in favor of the Israeli government."

These people are called imperialists, supporters of an economic system where one nation is subservient to another nation. America is an imperialist country and like Israel, America stole land by murdering its original inhabitants.

Jason Kosareff

To condemn Israel would be to admit that America is guilty of genocide and land theft, but America has never admitted any such thing and is not about to now. Like Israel, America is an illegal state that has no right to exist.

So, it is not surprising that the facts about the Israeli pullout from Southern Lebanon have been twisted beyond recognition.

"Hezbollah has resisted Israel in the most legitimate way," said Hussam Ayolush, executive director of the Council of American-Islamic Relations. However, the media brands Hezbollah fighters as "terrorists" and "extremists."

The Hezbollah is made up of farmers and peasants who have taken up arms against the Israeli army, but Hollywood-style media has demonized these people who are defending their own land.

Even though most of the conflicts between Israel and the Hezbollah have been on Lebanese soil, the Hezbollah still has the unshakeable label of "terrorist." And, while Israel is in
violation of every United Nation resolution dealing with Israel, the media and the U.S. government continue to support Zionist expansion.

Pure ignorance is another reason the media vilifies Muslims. After 22 years of occupation and more than 20,000 people murdered by the Israeli army, it is bizarre that the media refuses to look more closely at the situation.

Despite the animosity of the U.S. government, the media and the Israeli government, Muslim leaders still extend warmth to the Israelis. "They are still a people who deserve to have a place to live," Ayolush said.

There are always two sides to every story. The American media, which claims "objectivity," should live up to its own standard. Americans are being duped into believing they have an enemy that is not really there.