"In some ways, I feel such sympathy for the Palestinian cause. You know, in my heart. You know, I can't hate them for what they did. I resent on behalf of my family what they did. But there's a funny bit of me that's sympathetic to them still."
Granted, if by "Palestinian cause," one means the cause of the destruction of Israel, as a state that Jews can live in in safety, and live the good life, the decent life, that we all want and are entitled to, if we work at it, than that is execrable.
If he means more not the Palestinian "cause," but rather the Palestinian "plight," albeit a plight largely of their own making, as to their lives being a veritable living hell on earth, as seen through Western eyes, than yes, that is simply a factual statement. Newsmen are not lawyers. They often do not choose the best words to express themselves. The don't make a living with the subtle meaning of words the way lawyers, particularly diplomatic lawyers, in this context, do.
In short, I would need to know more, before passing judgment. I tend to be rather cautious about passing judgment, unless and until, I have what I think is a solid knowledge of the facts, and a solid knowledge of the merits.
I ping Sabra for his comments, if he cares to make any. I am always interested in his comments, even when we don't agree.
Where I have seem him, he hasn't struck me as being very bright. While called a journalist, he is not. I don't think of cameramen, as distinct from photographers, as journalists.
His wife, Anita McNaught, who seems to be the dominant in the relationship works for the BBC. The BBC's bias and hatred of Israel are well documented. If Olaf has any opinions, I would bet they are his wife's.
When he was still captured his wife's appeal to release him was an appeal to release not an innocent but an ally.
This all occurred in Gaza. What is the Palestinian" cause in Gaza? Is it to appeal to venture capitalists to recreate a newer and better Hong Kong on prime beach property? There are no Israelis in Gaza to form a cause.
For Olaf, the "Palestinian" cause in the end of the rainbow. It's the holy grail to peace on earth. Belonging to "that cause" is de rigueur for the that group of hip "newspeople".
It is very likely they know very little of the history or the day to day reality of the situation.
But the bad news is that when you belong to a cause you psychologically have to justify your belonging. So any pro Israel argument would be met automatically with excuse and derision. Ultimately the end of Israel is a possible aim if you are wedded to that "Palestinian" cause.
The fact remains that you would never hear anyone having anything to do with FOX or any other major Western news networks say that they are in Northern Ireland because the sympathize with the Catholics, or Iraq because the sympathize with the Americans, or cover the riots in France because they sympathize with the "youths", they will always claim that they are there, neutral, to cover the story. Yet, the bias is so ingrained, that they see no issue with saying the sympathize with one side's, "the Palestinians", murderous aims vis a vis Israel.
And the result? Just watch the usual coverage of Israel- who is always at fault- and, Torie, always disproportionate in response.