Gaza: Reckless Disregard for Life on all Sides

The reckless disregard for life in Palestine, displayed by both Israeli and Palestinian leaders in the past weeks, which is part of a tradition that stretches back half a century and more, makes it abundantly clear to all but the most ideologically infirm, that a new politics is desperately needed. The jabbing fingers and indignant walk-outs in Davos are part of the theatre of of this political tragedy. In Isreal the major parties are full of war-mongering bluster, ill-discipline and political cynicism. No party on the radar screen has any coherent vision for change. In Palestine the choice is cholera or pest -- thugs in Gaza or corruption in Ramallah. Violence, and the consequences of violence, are the strategic cornerstones of policy. We should be angry with them all. There are solutions and they can be found, but only if we clear away the deadwood.

So journalists would do better to stop their absurd balancing acts and expose the inhuman consequences of Israeli double-talk and Palestinian sectarianism. Tell stories that are not on anyone's agenda; build solidarity with the humanitarian movement inside Israel and Palestine that is working ceaselessly to repair the lives of damaged communities; show courage and challenge foul-smelling politics of expediency at home and abroad whenever it lacks conviction, or is driven by historical obsessions that minimise and trivialise the suffering of others. Ethical, intelligent people need information that is in context and that is not distorted by partisan passions.

In wartime, says Harold Evans, the truth gets buried under the rubble. If journalists do their jobs and clear away the debris to find out what is really going on, we may get to a solution sooner.