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Posted on 07/24/2006 8:53:24 AM PDT by MikeA
In the public relations battle brewing on-line, there is a new eye to the center of the storm surrounding the war with Hizbullah - a series of photos showing Israeli children writing messages on shells meant for targets in Lebanon.
Questions over the photos' authenticity have been put to rest by authorities that were present during the incident, which occurred on July 17 near the northern border. The mostly local children had been brought to see the shells by their parents. Although it remains unclear who encouraged them to write the messages, their colorful scribbles, including a Star of David, hearts, and "From Israel, with Love," have appeared in dozens of blogs, or on-line journals, and on-line photo hosting sites.
Although the IDF has failed to issue a response to the incident, a spokesman from the IDF said it "appeared as though the situation occurred unofficially." Although an officer was present during the incident, the soldiers, and the IDF as a whole, did not condone or condemn the incident.
An official close to Israel's public relations campaign said that there was "no way" to spin the incident in a positive light. "Some people are simply irresponsible," said the official.
On-line, the photos are being called "horrifying," "disgusting" and "despicable." "I still cannot understand why or how anyone would allow their young children to walk up to missiles or other explosives. The militarization of children is always a crime," said one user by the name of "aviv2b" on the Guardian Web site, which ran a lengthy discussion about the photos.
Another reader, by the name barbicanangel posted that "I still say Israel is right in this war, however, the picture of young Jewish girls signing the shells is quite disturbing."
Although the photos were first taken by professional photographers from AFP, Associated Press, and Haaretz, they were circulated on-line through the popular photo-hosting Web site Flickr.com. That site republished the photos, bringing them to the attention of hundreds who later posted them on their own personal sites.
Many users on both the flickr and Guardian Web sites said that the images proved how difficult it was for a country to control their public relations image on-line. "There is no way to tell how, when, where, or why these photos were taken," said one anonymous poster. "We have to rely on the people hosting the Web sites, who have no official accountability hanging over their heads at all."
Over the years, there have been a number of photos that have been popularized by the on-line community such as photos of young Palestinian babies dressed as suicide bombers, or Israeli children in Purim costumes mocking Palestinian political officials.
OMG!
Nobody can be that stupid!
Equating writing messages on bombs to strapping explosives on kids?
I swear, muslims (and their supporters) must have a collective IQ of 200...
The dish it out but cant take it crowd is in full whine.
A manufactured muslim tempest in a teapot is freakin' hilarious!
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Go check out the polls on what Europeans think about Americans, the war in Iraq, Israel, Bush is the biggest world threat, Bush is the biggest terrorist, etc. then get back to me. Europe had protestors on the streets protesting what Israel is doing faster than any Arab country did. Did I say ALL Europeans think this way? No. But why do people like you take a criticism of large numbers of people to be a criticism of all? But the fact is, pacificism has taken over Europe whether you want to admit it or not. You're blind if you can't see Europe is being consumed by weakness and lack of resolve.
Europe is a continent, the same way North or South America is. At least have the analytical skills to criticise the countries you dislike rather than weirdly assuming that Europe is a single construct.
Your argument is like saying, "I had a bad experience in Brazil once so I dislike Bolivians!"
It's 1.2 billion people and 58 nations, but who's counting?
If just 20% of them are killers and direct supporters, that's 240,000,000 darlings we need to deal with. And they hide among the reaminder, with their silent approval.
Have a nice day!
In fact, ancient Roman sling bullets have been found with "Take that!" and similar sentiments carved on them.
the difference is israel had the children write on the explosives, hezbollah turns the children into explosices.
If you are so good with numbers, why was your anti-american European killers picked arbitrarily?
Also, how many US citizens hate US policy and hate George Bush? How many voters EVEN after 9/11 still wanted John Kerry?
I suppose they are all Europeans too? LOL
Whining Weinie alert.
Yes Europe is a continent. I have been there many times so I don't need a geography lesson. But pacificist thinking seems to be a unifying and homogenous sentiment growing throughout the continent. I am far from the only observer to not thise. You take offense that somehow I don't pick out one country as being more pacificist than another, yet American policy makers from the president to the secretary of state can't seem to travel anywhere in Europe without mass protests in the streets. Yes, I realize that not every citizen of the country in question is participating. But we do know through opinion polls and the European press about the kinds of things being said against the US war on terror and Israel's efforts. Do they have a right to level such criticisms? Of course. But let's not pretend Europe is a bulwark of resolve right now. Come on. I didn't say everyone is giving in to this disturbing trend of appeasement and pacifity, but it sure appears the majority are.
Do I appreciate Tony Blair over Chirac's government? Of course. Blair has been nothing less than heroic and deserves a US Congressional Medal of Honor for his steadfastness. But do I believe if Blair had to run for re-election tomorrow that Brits would not turn out Labor in large numbers and that it would be mostly because of Iraq? You bet.
By the way, I am equally critical of my fellow Americans who have allowed one-sided and visceral media images, not to mention the irresponsible and divisive rhetoric of the Democratic party to sway them against the continuing liberation of Iraq. So don't take offense that I similarly call to task those in Europe who have given in to the same short-sightedness. This is disease of non-think seems to be afflicting both sides of the Atlantic. I have spared my fellow Americans no criticism on this point, so you need not think I'm being chauvenistic in leveling similar criticism overseas.
Anyway, even as you criticize my "analytic abilities," I challenge you to disprove that Europe isn't being overtaken by pacificism. All you've done is taken personal umbrage at my comments since apparently you're British without showing that in fact I'm wrong. Are you saying Israel's Lebanon incursion is popular in the UK and Europe? Are you saying the US war on terror has majority support in Europe? If you are, I'd love to see your evidence.
Listening to a speech by Senator Byrd?
Your whole mode of thinking is based on a wrong foundation. I repeat, you cannot speak of a certain way of thinking without mentioning the individual nations.
You are also talking about three or four different things here so I'll pick out one.
Which European nations do you think are pro-terrorist?
Sometimes my friend & I play "Gay or Euro" at the bar in the mall. After a few beers, it doesn't really matter, they are effeminate and sissy boys.
Europe.
Probably not ... but I've not doubt the Honourable (spit!) Mr. 'Sheets' Byrd would approve.
You've been drinking too much of your screenname.
I bet you wouldn't say that to a British Soldier who had just watched his mate killed in Iraq would you?
But then again, you don't really have the same brilliant analytical skills as Karl Rove do you? LOL
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