This is a guest post by Cliched
Who else is sick and tired of hearing the same old thing over and over again from pundits and commentators on the Israel/Palestine conflict? From the Second Intifada to the current troubles, every time the unending cycle of this conflict gets more violent than usual, analysts resort to the same old tired lines. In order to help prospective pundits offer us something new here’s a check-list of the things, right or wrong, that we just don’t need to hear anymore:
Israel has the right to defend itself
Israel’s reaction is disproportionate
If [insert city/country here depending on geographic location of publication you are submitting to] was launching missiles into [insert city/country close to previous city/country], then they would be justified in striking back.
For example: ‘If Scotland was launching missiles into England, then the English would be justified in striking back.’
Hamas strategically places civilians in missile launch sites to ensure Israel kills them
Hamas is democratically elected
There is no negotiating with terrorists
We should negotiate with terrorists
Hamas are freedom fighters
Hamas are terrorists
Israel is an apartheid state
Israel is a shining example of liberal democracy in the Middle-East
Hamas is the same as al-Qaeda
Hamas is not the same as al-Qaeda
The IDF is the most humane army in the world
We should learn from the Northern Ireland peace process
The conflict needs to be resolved if we are to defeat al-Qaeda
[Israel/The Palestinians – insert preference here depending on political stance] started it!
America and Europe are Netanyahu’s puppets
The BBC is biased against [Israel/The Palestinians – insert preference here depending on political stance]
al-Jazeera is biased against Israel
Hamas should be included in any negotiations
Hamas should not be included in any negotiations
Both sides are to blame
That should get the ball rolling, any more suggestions?
By the way, this could also work as a drinking game: just take a shot every time you hear one of these on the news and you’ll have quite the night.
