I had not heard of Moshe Siman until I read Mystical Politics’ account of his protest.
When reading that what struck me was, how little we hear of the real Israelis’ struggles in the Western media.
Contrast that with the excellent coverage of Greece, the Banks, the economy and more importantly the people, their lives, the daily effort of Greeks to exist and the dire poverty that many suffer, after almost a year without pay.
Whilst Greeks receive subtle and sympathetic coverage, there is barely a word on Moshe Siman’s self immolation and what real Israelis think and do. It is simply not heard in the West.
True enough, if there’s a bombing, shooting or knife attack in Israel there will be a video clip or mention in the news, but not the rest of people’s lives there.
It is a hard life for Israelis, faced with a Right-wing government and pressures on their existence every day. Whatever the reason behind Moshe Siman’s decision to set fire to himself this story should have been covered better in the West.
On Google news there are three stories, but they are Israeli based so you would expect that.
There is nothing on the BBC, but its news site does have a piece on the nonsense about “Yasser Arafat poisoning claims to be investigated”. Paranoid balderdash, as ably demonstrated by Hussein Ibish.
The Indy and Guardian have relegated it to their specialist Middle East sections and it can’t be found via the search function.
I am sure if this terrible event had taken place in any other country in the Middle East then it would have received widespread and proportional coverage.
However, for that to happen the Western media would have to humanises Israelis, understand them, deeply, and treat them as they do everyone else in all other countries.
I doubt that will occur in the Western media any time soon.
Soupy One 